1966-01-18

HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATES


[Stage Direction]
Ho use of Commons! debates
[Stage Direction]
Speaker: Tke Honourable Lucien Lamoureux
[DOT] (10:50 a.m.)

[Stage Direction]
The twenty sixth parliament having been dissolved by proclamation on Wednesday September 8, 1965, and writs having been issued and returned, a new parliament was summoned to meet for the dispatch of business on Tuesday, January 18, 1966 and did accordingly meet on that day.
Tuesday, January 18, 1966
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 assistant secretary to the Governor General informing him that the Honourable Robert Taschereau, 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 seventh parliament of Canada on Tuesday, the eighteenth day of January, at eleven o'clock.
[DOT] (11:00 a.m.)
A message was delivered by Major C. R. Lamoureux, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, as follows:
Members of the House of Commons:
It is the desire of the Honourable the Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General that this honourable house attend him immediately 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 23033-1
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.
[DOT] (11:20 a.m.)
And the House being returned to the Commons chamber:


Right Hon. L. B. Pearson (Prime Minister):: Mr. Raymond, I hope and indeed I believe that my opening words to this twenty seventh parliament will meet with the approval of all hon. members, because it is my privilege to nominate as Speaker of the House of Commons Lucien Lamoureux, member of parliament for Stormont.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear.


Lester Bowles Pearson: January 18, 1966
Election of Speaker
my duty but my privilege, and indeed my pleasure, to nominate the member whom I have just mentioned, the hon. member tor Stormont (Mr. Lamoureux).
Those of us who were here in the twenty sixth parliament have known him well for the last three years as Deputy Speaker of this House and Chairman of Committees of the Whole. Mr. Lamoureux was born here in the nation's capital and was educated at the University of Ottawa and Osgoode Hall in Toronto. He is a lawyer whose home and practice were in Cornwall, Ontario. While both born and educated in Ontario, I am sure all hon. members realize and appreciate the fact that he is totally bilingual and indeed bicultural; not only bilingual in his speech but even, I might add, in his thinking.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear.


Lester Bowles Pearson: Mr. Lamoureux was first elected to this house in the general election of 1962. He was re-elected in 1963, and in May, 1963 was appointed Deputy Speaker. He was re-elected again last November. I believe that as Deputy Speaker of the twenty sixth parliament he showed impartiality and objectivity, a sense of proportion, fairness and firmness which impressed all hon. members of the house.
These qualities, I am confident, will make him, if he is chosen, eminently suitable to be the guardian of the rights, privileges and traditions of this honourable house. If he is chosen we will expect of him leadership and guidance, and he will have the right to our co-operation and support. I believe that he has the qualities required for the very exacting and important job of presiding over our deliberations.
Therefore I take great pleasure in moving, seconded by the President of the Privy Council (Mr. Favreau):
That Lucien Lamoureux, member for the electoral district of Stormont, do take the Chair of this house as Speaker.
[DOT] (11:30 a.m.)


Hon. Guy Favreau (President of the Privy Council):: Mr. Raymond, it is with pleasure, great pride and deep feelings of friendship that, as a member of this house, I second the motion just put forward by the right hon. Prime Minister (Mr. Pearson) to have the member for Stormont (Mr. Lamoureux) appointed Speaker and preside over our discussions.

It is always an exciting occasion when representatives of the people from each of the 265 constituencies of our great and beloved country meet, for all practical purposes, to form an active and eager House of Commons.
Of course, it is commonplace to refer to the heavy responsibilities of the Speaker. But it bears repeating over and over again at the beginning of a new parliament, for he is the one who will preside over our discussions and whose difficult and delicate task it will be to rule upon the points of order raised by the various parties. It will be his duty, and not an easy one either, I know, to maintain order in the house and to lay down the required rules.
As mentioned earlier by the Prime Minister, thanks to him we shall be spared in the future such rebuffs as have just been suffered by members of the house when they attempted unsuccessfully to make themselves heard by the Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General but were not yet represented.
I shall say only a few words about the Speaker's qualifications. They are many, but I feel the two main ones are fairness and objectivity. Fairness must not be affected by any contingency, whether it be friendship, ambition or fear. Objectivity must proceed from a sound judgment enlightened by a thorough knowledge of the standing orders of the house.
Mr. Lamoureux possesses those qualifications to a very high degree and that is why I am proud to second once again the motion of the Prime Minister for his nomination as Speaker of this house.


Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker (Leader of the Opposition):: Mr. Raymond, there have been occasions when the Prime Minister and I have not been in complete agreement. There have been other occasions when we have had varying degrees of assent. But this is one occasion when he will have achieved a majority, I might add an overwhelming one, in the nomination that he has placed before the house.
Mr. Lamoureux, of course, in his three years as Deputy Speaker has discharged his responsibilities with tact, with wisdom, with humour, and above all with a sense of impartiality to which I am very happy to pay my tribute. Indeed, the manner in which Mr. Lamoureux conducted himself leads me to look forward with hope, an assured hope, that the rights and privileges of parliament will be upheld, without which this institution
January 18, 1966



cannot take the place that it should in the preservation of our country.
If parliament is accepted as being the essence of our democracy, the position of Speaker is indeed the cornerstone. I am most happy to join on this occasion in expressing not only the hope but a deep assurance that on the basis of the experience we have had in previous parliaments, the prerogatives and greatness of our past will have in him a protector, as well as a protector of the privileges and traditions of this institution. Above all, we shall have the assurance that the minorities shall have their rights.
I believe it is particularly important at this time that a man such as the hon. gentleman should be Speaker; for if there is an acceptance, as I hope there will be, of the principle that there shall be no appeals from the Speaker's rulings, the responsibility that will rest on his shoulders will be manifestly greater than that which rested on the shoulders of the many distinguished Speakers who have occupied that position.
It is in that spirit, as one who has a deep affection for everything for which parliament stands, that I believe, if this House accepts the motion that has been made we will be taking a forward step toward the maintenance of those things that are greater than life itself, the preservation of our freedom.
I never get over the novelty of this place. Today we have seen again the formalities of the past. There are those who would abolish these, but to me they are of the essence of the British tradition of political and parliamentary democracy.


Mr. Herridge:: Hear, hear.


John George Diefenbaker: To this has been added the contribution of those of the French race. This is the very foundation of parliament as we know it. It was on the basis of the leadership given by one of French origin, applying the principles of English democracy to the problems of his day and generation, that confederation was achieved. Let us preserve those traditions. Let us maintain what is great in our country. In doing that we will make doubly sure that the future of our country will be greater than its past.
It is in that spirit that I, on behalf of my colleagues in the opposition, join in the motion that has been made. We look forward to the term of service of Mr. Lamoureux with the expectation that, in the days ahead, all those principles and qualities to which the President of the Privy Council (Mr. Favreau) referred will be embodied in the new Speaker.
23033-u
Election of Speaker
Indeed, I am reminded of the words which were spoken at one time of a great British Speaker, Mr. Speaker Lowther, when it was said:
The office of Speaker does not demand rare qualities. It demands common qualities in a rare degree. [DOT] (11:40 a.m.)
I think Mr. Lamoureux possesses those qualities.
Mr. T, C. Douglas (Burnaby-Coquitlam) i
Mr. Raymond, in our parliamentary system the ability and impartiality of its presiding officer is an essential prerequisite to an effective and efficient parliament. The Speaker of the House of Commons must have a wide knowledge of the rules and a deep understanding of the traditions and procedures of this house. He must also have the impartiality which will give to every member, wherever he or she may sit, the assurance that they will enjoy the rights and privileges to which they are entitled, in order that they may speak for the people who have sent them here.
The members of the New Democratic party feel that those qualifications are possessed in full measure by Mr. Lucien Lamoureux, the member for Stormont, who has been nominated by the right hon. Prime Minister (Mr. Pearson) and the President of the Privy Council (Mr. Favreau).
During the last parliament Mr. Lamoureux acted as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees of the Whole. Those of us who had the privilege of sitting in that parliament were impressed with his knowledge of the rules, his ability to interpret them fairly, and his capacity for making clear and explicit judgments and reaching fair decisions. The fact that he has complete mastery of both the French and English languages makes him eminently suited to preside over this house.
On behalf of the New Democratic party I should like to say that we support wholeheartedly the nomination of the member for Stormont. We pledge him our support in making this parliament as effective as any parliament that has ever sat in this chamber, and we wish him well as he assumes the heavy responsibilities of this office.


Mr. Real Caoueiie (Villeneuve):: Mr. Raymond, on behalf of my colleagues and myself, I am happy to join with the Right Hon. Prime Minister (Mr. Pearson), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Diefenbaker) and the leader of the New Democratic Party (Mr. Douglas) on the appointment of Mr. COMMONS DEBATES
January 18, 1966
Election of Speaker
Lamoureux to chair the debates and proceedings of the House of Commons, in the years to come.
It is a heavy responsibility to take over the Speaker's chair. I deeply regret the departure of hon. Mr. Macnaughton who was undoubtedly one of the greatest Speakers of the house of Commons of Canada.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear.


David Réal Caouette: As a matter of fact, our discussions were presided over with tact and diplomacy. At that time, Mr. Lamoureux, who was acting as Deputy Speaker of the House, acquired knowledge that enabled him to become an efficient Deputy Speaker during the two and a half years he was called upon to chair, for instance, the committee of the whole House of Commons, and each time he acted as Deputy Speaker.
We all knew Mr. Lamoureux's undeniable qualities, his sense of justice and fairness. The Speaker does not indulge in political partisanship, he is above political parties. Therefore, in the full sense of the word, we will support the new Speaker, Mr. Lamoureux. We will co-operate with him, as his job will not be an easy one in this new Parliament.
In fact, probably for the first time in the history of Canada, we have a Parliament made up of various elements: left-wingers, right-wingers and centralists. It will therefore be rather difficult to manage. In my opinion, Mr. Lamoureux has the tact needed to preside over all discussions taking place in such a situation.
Mr. Raymond, we are very pleased to support the proposal made by the Prime Minister (Mr. Pearson).
Mr. Lamoureux can be assured of our co-operation. We ask him to be in the future as fair as he has been in the past; if the past is the guarantee for the future, we can be confident of having a very good Speaker in the person of Mr. Lamoureux.


Mr. R. N. Thompson (Red Deer):: Mr. Raymond, it is with pleasure, on behalf of our party and myself personally, that I join with the leaders of the other opposition parties in giving wholehearted support to the nomination made by the right hon. Prime Minister (Mr. Pearson) and seconded by the President of the Privy Council (Mr. Favreau).
Those of us who watched Mr. Lamoureux during the last parliament, particularly as Deputy Speaker, I think are virtually in

unanimous agreement that he performed his work well. I believe that it is logical that he should now be named Speaker of this twenty seventh parliament. Perhaps the twenty sixth parliament will be known as the parliament which, under the leadership of the former Speaker, Mr. Macnaughton, brought in the revised rules and procedures. We are grateful for the work that Mr. Macnaughton carried on and to which he gave leadership.
I believe this parliament will have as its responsibility the implementation and refining of those rules. Because of this there is a particular responsibility upon Mr. Lamoureux. His experience and his familiarity with these new rules and procedures I think make it reasonable that he should be the one to chair this chamber during this parliament.
I believe that further remarks are redundant as far as the importance of maintaining the authority and the rights of the Speaker as they relate to the preservation of our parliamentary procedure. We want you, Mr. Raymond, to know that we give our support to Mr. Lamoureux, that we will co-operate with him and that we will share, so far as it is possible, that responsibility of making sure this parliament functions effectively and well.
[DOT] (11:50 a.m.)


Hon. Marcel Lambert (Edmonton West):: Mr. Raymond, although compliments have been addressed to Mr. Lamoureux to the extent where it proved embarrassing for him, and in spite of my own desire not to prolong these proceedings unduly, it still behooves me to say a few words as the only member in the house at the present time in the unique position of having held the post of Speaker and later become a member of the Opposition.
We all know what qualities are required of the Speaker. I shall not give that list for in so doing, I should probably be repeating what was said about me in 1962, which I found most embarrassing at that time.

Now, Mr. Raymond, I do not wish to prolong these proceedings. We have heard today, and very many of us have heard on similar occasions in the past, the qualifications and requirements for that most privileged post, the Speakership of this House. It is not a mere passive role; it is a most challenging role. I know that many people share my opinion that the Speaker of the House is not merely a gatekeeper; he is an active officer of this House. It is true that he is the servant of this House,
January 18, 19G6

but he is the servant of no one man; -therefore he must maintain impartiality and fairness as between one member and another from the front bench to the back bench, subject to human frailties.
I might conclude by referring to a speech made on the occasion of the election of a Speaker by the House of Representatives of one of our sister countries of the commonwealth. As we know, one of the most difficult questions to decide is the matter of parliamentary and unparliamentary language and the retraction of certain remarks. Unfortunately in some parliaments the language is more frank or, perhaps, more brutal than it is in this house, and the occasions for expulsion are much more numerous. On this particular occasion it was said of the nominee for the position that he was extremely well qualified to decide on the nature of parliamentary and non-parliamentary language, as well as on the expulsion of members, since he had himself been expelled three or four times.
While Mr. Lamoureux has not had that experience and, happily, this House conducts itself on a more restrained plane, I think he will readily understand the point I am trying to make. He has gained experience as Deputy Speaker under the tutelage of Mr. Speaker Macnaughton-and one must not, of course, forget the wise counsel of the Clerk of the House and of the staff-and I am sure we can look forward to a very fruitful session under the-I hope-steady hand of the Speaker nominee.


Mr. Maurice Allard (Sherbrooke):: Mr. Raymond, I have just consulted my independent colleague, the hon. member for Trois-Rivieres (Mr. Mongrain) and, even though we have both been seated close to the main exit, we have agreed to sit a long time in the house. To this end we rely on the qualities enumerated by the President of the Privy Council (Mr. Favreau) with regard to the Speakership, that is fair-mindedness and objectivity.
We are therefore delighted to state even at this early date that we trust the sense of fairness, impartiality and objectivity of the new Speaker. We pay our respects to him and extend our best wishes for his success and good health. Good luck.

The Clerk of the House declared the motion carried in the affirmative, nemine contra-dicente, and Lucien Lamoureux Esquire, member for the electoral district of Stormont, duly elected to the chair of the house.
Election of Speaker
Mr. Lamoureux was conducted from his seat in the house to the Speaker's chair by Right Hon. L. B. Pearson and Hon. Guy Favreau.


Mr. Speaker:: Hon. members of the house, from the bottom of my heart and in all modesty, I wish to thank you for the honour you have just bestowed upon me by electing me Speaker of the House.
It is with the best of feelings toward each one of you that I assume this heavy task. I can assure you right now that I shall discharge the responsibilities you have given me to the best of my ability. Among other duties, it is up to the Speaker to see that the standing orders and the rights and privileges of the hon. members and of Parliament are respected.
The degree of success I shall be able to achieve in carrying out that function will depend largely on the co-operation and assistance that the members shall give to the Speaker of the House. Trusting that such co-operation shall be given to me generously, I accept, in all modesty and gratitude, to act as Speaker of this house.
I pray Divine Providence to give me the courage, the strength and the wisdom I shall need to justify the confidence you are putting in me at this time.

Hon. Members of the House of Commons, I beg to return my humble acknowledgements for the great honour you have been pleased to confer upon me at this time as your Speaker.
I am grateful to the right hon. Prime Minister (Mr. Pearson) for the gracious words in which he proposed my nomination, and, of course, to the right hon. Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Diefenbaker) for the generous way in which he endorsed the nomination. I am equally grateful to the hon. member for Burnaby-Coquitlam (Mr. Douglas), to the hon. member for Red Deer (Mr. Thompson), to my colleague the hon. member for Villeneuve (Mr. Caouette),

. . . and also, naturally, to the President of the Privy Council (Mr. Favreau), who was kind enough to second the motion of the right, hon. Prime Minister (Mr. Pearson) and who did so in such a charming way.

January 18, 1966
Election of Speaker
My special thanks also-for we must always be mindful of the minorities in this House- to the hon. member for Sherbrooke (Mr. Allard) for the words he used in supporting my appointment.
[DOT] (12:00 noon)

May I at this time pay a well-earned tribute to one who, during the last parliament, served this house with great dignity and efficiency; to one who has earned our respect, our gratitude and our affection, Hon. Alan Macnaughton. Those who had the privilege to sit in the last parliament will know that Mr. Speaker Macnaughton was devoted, courteous and helpful to all members at all times. It will be my aim to emulate the high standard of integrity, impartiality and dedicated service which he and his predecessors, and in particular our distinguished colleague the hon. member for Edmonton West (Mr. Lambert), established during their tenure of office.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear.


Mr. Speaker:: On your behalf, hon. members, I wish to pay tribute also to the senior officers of the House of Commons. It is reassuring to the Chair and, I am sure to all hon. members, that we may rely on the continued efficient assistance and, in many instances, the wise counsel of these most competent advisers.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear.


Mr. Speaker:: Again I humbly thank the house for the great trust it has placed in my hands and I can tell you, hon. members, it is my fervent hope that my limitations-and they are obvious limitations-for this high office will be alleviated in some measure by the diligence with which I propose to serve the House of Commons.


Lester Bowles Pearson: Mr. Speaker, may I be permitted to congratulate you on your selection as the choice of all hon. members of the house to be our Speaker, and may I join you-and on this occasion perhaps I can speak on behalf of all hon. members-in the well deserved tribute you have paid to your predecessor.
When you consented to take the Chair, Mr. Speaker, you showed your reluctance to accept such difficult responsibilities, but perhaps not as much reluctance or as much opposition to your assignment as your predecessor might have shown if he had been

asked to take on the work for another parliament. But we know, Mr. Speaker, that you will discharge those heavy and historic responsibilities with scrupulous fairness and impartiality.



SITTING SUSPENDED

Lester Bowles Pearson: Mr. Speaker, may I suggest that this sitting of the house be suspended until three o'clock this afternoon.


Mr. Speaker:: The house has heard the suggestion of the Prime Minister that this sitting be suspended until three o'clock this day. Is it the pleasure of the house to adopt this suggestion?


Some hon. Members:: Agreed.


Mr. Speaker:: I declare the sitting suspended until the ringing of the bells at 3 p.m. this day.
At 12.05 p.m. the sitting was suspended until 3 p.m. this day.
[DOT]	(3:00 p.m.)



SITTING RESUMED

[Stage Direction]
The house resumed at three o'clock.
[DOT]	(3:10 p.m.)

[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.
[DOT]	(3:20 p.m.)
A message was delivered by Major C. R. Lamoureux, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, as follows:
Mr. Speaker, it is the pleasure of His Excellency the Governor General that this honourable house attend him immediately in the chamber of the honourable the Senate.
Accordingly, Mr. Speaker with the house went up to the Senate chamber. Then Hon. Lucien Lamoureux, 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
January 18, 1966
[Stage Direction]
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.
[DOT] (4:20 p.m.)
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

Lester Bowles Pearson: for leave to introduce Bill No. C-l, 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 the house did attend His Excellency the Governor General 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:
I welcome you to the first session of the Twenty-seventh Parliament of Canada. As we meet on the eve of our Centennial year, It is fitting to reaffirm the values and purposes that unite all our people, and to work, with resolution and patriotism for their realization. We should be very proud to be Canadians.
Speech jrorn the Throne
Our country is continuing to make economic and social progress while playing a responsible role in world affairs. As a member of the United Nations, as a member of the Commonwealth of which our beloved Queen is the Head, and as a partner in the North Atlantic Alliance, Canada will strive to make the greatest possible contribution to improve international relations and assure peace with justice to all peoples. Our capacity for national achievement, like that of other countries, depends on the peace and prosperity of the world community.
Canada will continue strongly to support the efforts of Britain, the Commonwealth and the international community to bring an end to the present illegal situation in Rhodesia. My Prime Minister has recently attended a meeting of Commonwealth leaders in Nigeria, at which this critical issue was discussed and the value of the Commonwealth as a multi-racial association confirmed.
The recent official visit to the Caribbean region made by the Prime Minister reflects the importance my Government attaches to strengthening relationships in economic matters between Canada and Commonwealth countries in this area.
In the United Nations, Canada will continue its efforts, in concert with other countries, to develop means of keeping the peace and strengthening the influence of the world organization. My Government will also do everything it can to assist in finding a basis for negotiating a peaceful settlement of the Vietnam conflict. We shall do our utmost through the United Nations and the Disarmament Committee to foster arrangements for preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and for progress towards disarmament. For the security of the North Atlantic community and the stability of Europe, my Government will seek to preserve and strengthen the unity and effectiveness of the North Atlantic Alliance.
International objectives must be pursued by economic and social as well as political means. My Government will recommend to Parliament further measures to improve and develop international economic conditions and to strengthen the Canadian economy.
My Government intends progressively to develop its external aid programs. You will be asked to approve Canada's participation in the Asian Development Bank.
My Government recognizes that Canada has an obligation to share in efforts to prevent or limit armed conflict. Our object, within the limits of our capacity, must be to improve the prospects of world peace and prosperity.
My Government will continue to strengthen the capacity of the integrated Canadian Defence Forces to provide for the security of Canada and to contribute abroad to the preservation of peace. Amendments to the National Defence Act will be laid before you.
The preservation and strengthening of Canadian identity and unity is the most important trust and responsibility of Parliament and of my Government. That unity rests on a Canadianism based upon the two main cultural strands, British and French, enriched by the contributions of other cultural groups, and recognizing the essential contribution of all to the development of Canadian identity.
The approach of the Centennial of Confederation makes it of the utmost importance that Canadians in all parts of the country should look to Ottawa as its true capital where they can feel at home. To this end my Government will continue to work
January 18, 1966

Speech from the Throne toward the broadening of the bilingual character of the public service. The national capital should increasingly reflect the nature of the Canadian society.
In its relations with the Provinces, my Government is guided by the conviction that Canadian federalism must draw its vitality and strength from the mutual respect and co-operation of the national and provincial governments. The Canadian people can be well served by their political institutions only if each element in our federal system is able to act effectively within its constitutional sphere. While respecting fully the responsibilities of the provinces, the Government is equally resolved to maintain the constitutional responsibilities of the federal authority.
The Tax Structure Committee, in which the federal and provincial governments, by a common effort, are making a fundamental review of their relations in matters of finance, is nearing the end of its task. The Committee is expected to present recommendations to the Federal-Provincial Conference which will meet later in the year to consider how fiscal relations between the federal and provincial governments might best be adjusted to strengthen each authority in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
My Government will accordingly submit to you legislation respecting federal-provincial fiscal arrangements to become effective in 1967.
It remains the objective of my Ministers to provide that the Constitution of Canada may be amended in Canada.
You will be asked to authorize my Government to provide that "O Canada" shall be the national anthem and that "God Save the Queen" shall be the royal anthem in Canada.
A measure will be placed before you to provide for the re-organization of certain departments of government, in order to adapt the structure of administration to new and changing conditions and so better meet the needs of our people. The purpose of this re-organization is to provide for closer and better co-ordinated action in the following areas of public policy: manpower policies, which are essential to the sustained growth of a highly productive economy and to the elimination of pockets of poverty within that economy; rural development programs, which are necessary to agricultural progress and a better rural life; integrated federal policies with respect to energy and resources; the special needs of the indigenous people of Canada and of the development of the North; the federal responsibility for laws relating to the conduct of business activity; the problems of corrections and crime, particularly in regard to the effective co-ordination of police services and intelligence in combatting organized crime; and improved management and administration within the public service generally.
For these purposes you will be asked to approve: the conversion of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration into a Department of Manpower; the broadening of the Department of Forestry into a Department of Forestry and Rural Development; the creation of a Department of Energy, Mines and Resources; the conversion of the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources into a Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Affairs; the establishment of a new department responsible for the special areas of legislation concerned with the conduct of business activity; the establishment

of the office of Solicitor General as a full department of government; and the establishment of a Department of the Treasury Board under its own Minister. My Government believes that these changes in organization will enable the processes of administration to respond more speedily and efficiently to the problems of modern times.
Our country is enjoying an unprecedented period of prosperity and growth. Production, investment and trade have expanded rapidly. Employment opportunities have more than kept pace with the rapid increase in our labour force. Unemployment has fallen in all regions of the country, and has been at the lowest level in many years. Canadians have benefited from good harvests and a high level of demand for our farm products.
The opportunities and the need for further sustained economic growth have been indicated by the Reviews of the Economic Council of Canada. My Government intends to pursue policies to ensure that our prosperity and growth continue. It is important that the benefits this can bring to all Canadians should not be jeopardized by excessive costs and prices which would endanger the stability of our economy. My Government therefore intends to continue its policy of stretching out its expenditure on public construction projects in areas of heavy pressure on the construction industry.
With a high rate of employment, our economic growth and living standards will depend increasingly on how successful we are in improving the performance of our economy. Our economic efficiency can be improved by concerted efforts to adapt and develop our institutions, both private and governmental, to our real needs. Improvements in the skills and efficiency of our existing working force, and of those entering the labour force will necessitate increasing emphasis on training, on education and in general on enabling and assisting our people to qualify for the best jobs available. We work and trade in a highly competitive world which offers many opportunities but demands the best performance. Improvements in productivity will permit our economy to grow faster and should enable us to achieve higher standards of living and a better balance in our international payments.
Banking legislation and related proposals will be placed before you.
A Bill will be placed before you to amend the Railway Act, which has been modified in the light of consideration in the last Parliament and public discussion in the intervening period. You will also be asked to consider a measure respecting the capital structure of the Canadian National Railways.
My Government attaches great importance to improving the technical capabilities of Canadian industry. The program for the advancement of industrial technology, introduced last year, is well under way and a number of important individual projects have already been initiated. You will be asked to approve legislation to encourage research and development, which will enlarge and improve upon the present taxation incentive. You will also be asked to enact legislation to establish a Science Council of Canada in order to encourage further the progress of scientific research.
My Government will propose a vigorous program, in co-operation with the provinces, to foster the training of workers and to assist in bringing into productive employment those who are now unemployed or inadequately employed. You will be asked to consider a measure to improve the system of training allowances provided under federal-provincial agreements.
January 18, 1966

You will be asked to approve the creation of a fund for financing major rural development projects and, in order to facilitate wide-ranging action for rural development, amendments to the legislation regarding agricultural rehabilitation will be placed before you.
In order that farmers of this country may enjoy living and working standards comparable with those of Canadians engaged in other occupations, measures designed to raise and safeguard farm incomes will be introduced. Among other measures, my Government will propose a program for the purchase, re-development and re-sale of farms that are not now viable economic units. You will be asked to consider a revision of the Crop Insurance Act, for the purpose of enabling crop insurance to be available to all farmers.
Legislation to establish a Canadian Dairy Commission will be placed before you. A measure will also be proposed to provide cash advances for unthreshed grain when weather conditions prevent full harvesting. You will be asked to approve legislation to improve the movement and marketing of feed grain in Eastern Canada and British Columbia by creating a livestock feed agency.
The heavy demand for loans from the Farm Credit Corporation make it desirable again to increase the capital of the Corporation.
In furtherance of the national fishery program, a measure for the development of the commercial fisheries of Canada will be proposed. You will also be asked to consider a proposal for income support for inshore fishermen in years of catch failure.
My Ministers will continue their efforts to promote Canada's trade through programs designed to bring this nation's existing resources and growing industrial capacities to the attention of the world, and through a full participation in international negotiations.
You will be asked to increase the ceiling for long-term export financing under the Export Credits Insurance Act, to facilitate the continued expansion of our export trade.
A resolution will be brought before you concerning the Canada-United States Agreement on Automotive Products, which my Government regards as one of the most important trading arrangements ever made between Canada and the United States.
You will be asked to approve legislation to establish a Canada Development Corporation. My Government is initiating consultation with the provinces for the improvement of securities legislation, and will propose a measure to improve the effectiveness of the Bankruptcy Act.
It is the intention of the Government that the work commenced by the joint committee on consumer credit in the last Parliament will be carried on in the new Parliament, and that a special committee of the House of Commons on food and drugs be again established.
My Government will continue to work for the effective co-ordination of measures to reduce poverty and increase security across Canada. In this respect, the Canada Assistance Plan is intended to enable the Provinces to provide, on a comprehensive and flexible basis, adequate assistance to individuals and families in need. Since the announcement of this measure by my Government early last year, satisfactory discussions have been held with all the provinces and legislation embodying the Government's proposals will be placed before you in this session.
Speech from the Throne
It is the aim of my Government to provide young people with the opportunities they are seeking for constructive service to the community, at home and abroad, and to that end legislation will be placed before you for the establishment of a Company of Young Canadians.
In accordance with my Ministers' belief that public policy should be directed to ensuring that all Canadians can obtain needed health services, irrespective of their ability to pay, my Government last July announced its willingness to make fiscal contributions to provinces which provide programs of medical care meeting certain criteria. When discussions with the provinces have been sufficiently advanced, legislation to carry out this proposal will be placed before you.
To provide for the expected expansion of health services, my Government has announced its intention to establish a Health Resources Fund of $500 million. You will be asked to approve a measure establishing this Fund.
While fully respecting the jurisdiction of the provinces in matters of education, my Government recognizes a pressing obligation to foster more effective development of the human resources of Canada by assisting the expansion of institutions of higher education, and by providing greater and more equitable opportunities for young Canadians to attend such institutions. A program of Canada scholarships and bursaries for students undertaking higher education will be submitted for your approval. Amendments will be proposed to the Student Loans Act. As an initial response to the acute financial difficulties encountered by the universities and colleges, you will be asked to approve a substantial increase in the federal financial assistance to universities for the academic year 1966-67. After discussion with the provinces, my Government will convene a meeting to consider continuing action in a manner that recognizes differences in the educational systems and institutions of the provinces.
Legislation on unemployment insurance will be proposed. You will also be asked to consider measures respecting the Fair Wages and Hours of Labour Act and Safety in Employment.
Arrangements will be made for you to decide the issue of capital punishment at an early date.
My Government intends to place before you legislation regarding Term 29 of the Terms of Union with Newfoundland.
My Government will propose legislation to amend the Canadian Citizenship Act, in order to ensure equality of rights for all citizens; legislation to make collective bargaining available to the Public Service; legislation revising federal superannuation and pension plans to integrate them with the Canada Pension Plan; legislation to remit to provincial governments 95 per cent of corporation taxes on investor-owned electric utilities a measure to help the development of a feature film industry in Canada; legislation to establish the National Arts Centre and measures respecting the National Gallery and Museums; the extension of the Export and Import Permits Act; and legislation to extend the construction period for the Trans-Canada Highway.
Other legislative proposals which you will be asked to consider will include amendments to the Judges Act, the National Energy Board Act, the Area Development Incentives Act, the Aeronautics Act, the Canadian Vessel Construction Assistance Act, the Yukon and Northwest Territories Acts, the Bretton Woods Agreements Act, the Atlantic Development Board Act, the National Housing Act, the
10	COMMONS
Appointment of Chairman Defence Production Act, and the Post Office Act. Further measures may be brought forward in the course of the Session as a result of inquiries now pending.
Members of the House of Commons:
You will be asked to appropriate the funds required for the services and payments authorized by Parliament.
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
May Divine Providence guide you in your deliberations.


Lester Bowles Pearson: That the speech of His Excellency the Governor General, delivered this day from the throne to the two houses of parliament, be taken into consideration at the next sitting of the house.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

Lester Bowles Pearson: 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 and that such committee be composed of Messrs. Gregoire, Knowles, Leboe, Mcllraith, Pilon, Starr and Winkler.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. L. B. Pearson (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. George James Mcllraith, Minister of Public Works, the Hon. John Robert Nicholson, Minister of Labour, the Hon. Maurice Sauvo. Minister of Forestry, and the Hon. Edgar John Benson, Minister of National Revenue, 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.

Lester Bowles Pearson: Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a motion regarding the appointment of the Chairman of committees of the whole house, and for that purpose to submit to the house the name 
DEBATES	January 18, 1966
of the hon. member for Humber-St. George's, Mr. Herman Batten. Mr. Batten, as hon. members who have been in the twenty sixth Parliament know, has been Deputy Chairman of the committees of the whole house. In that capacity he has won their respect and the good will of all members. He has acted in the Chair in that capacity with impartiality and fairness, and I think we can be sure that he will do the same as Chairman. I believe that before Mr. Batten, the hon. member for Humber-St. George's, came to the House of Commons he was the principal of a school. As your Deputy, Mr. Speaker, he will be able to help you to keep the boys in order.
[DOT] (4:30 p.m.)
Therefore I move, seconded by the Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. Martin), that Herman S. Batten, Esquire, Member for the electoral district of Humber-St. George's, be appointed Chairman of Committees of the Whole House.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

Lester Bowles Pearson: Mr. Speaker, with a lawyer in the Chair and a school teacher as his Deputy, I should like to propose as the Deputy Chairman of committees of the whole house a businessman, a member from Montreal, the hon. member for Saint-Jacques, Mr. Maurice Rinfret. We who know him best know that Mr. Rinfret is energetic, fair-minded, impartial, and that he has a good sense of humour. All these things should stand him in good stead if the house chooses him for this important post, for which I now have the honour to recommend him.
Therefore I move, seconded by the Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. Martin), that Maurice Rinfret, Esquire, Member for the electoral district of Saint-Jacques, be appointed Deputy Chairman of committees of the whole house.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

Mr. Speaker:: It is my duty to inform the house that the Governor General in Council has appointed Alistair Fraser, Esquire, B.A., LL.B., Clerk Assistant of the House of Commons.
January 18, 19G6	COMMONS



BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

Lester Bowles Pearson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. Martin):
That this house do now adjourn.


Mr. Speaker:: Before I put the motion to adjourn the house, I pause for a moment in
DEBATES	11
Business of the House order to invite members and their wives and families, officers of the house and members of the Press Gallery to a reception which will be held later this afternoon in the railway committee room. My wife and I would be very honoured and pleased if each and every one of you would find it possible to be present.
On motion of Mr. Pearson the House adjourned at 4.38 p.m.
13

Wednesday, January 19, 1966