1972-02-17

[Stage Direction]
21 Elizabeth II

[Stage Direction]
Published under the authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons by the Queen's Printer for Canada
25020-li
Available from Information Canada, Ottawa, Canada
[Stage Direction]
Thursday, February 17, 1972

[Stage Direction]
The Parliament which had been prorogued on the sixteenth day of February, 1972, met this day at Ottawa for the dispatch of business.

Mr. Speaker read a communication from the Secretary to the Governor General, announcing that His Excellency the Governor General would proceed to the Senate chamber at 10.35 a.m. on this day for the purpose of formally opening the fourth session of the twenty-eighth Parliament of Canada.
A message was delivered by Major A. G. Vandelac, 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 chamber.
And the House being returned to the Commons chamber:

Right Hon. P. E. Trudeau (Prime Minister) moved: 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 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:
This reunion of your two Houses with the Representative of the Crown marks the beginning of the 4th Session of the 28th Parliament of Canada.
Before proceeding to the business of the new Session I should like to thank you in the name of our Queen and on behalf of all Canadians for your efforts and accomplishments during the long 3rd Session which began the 8th of October 1970 and was concluded only yesterday.
During that period there was a continuing celebration of centennials connected with the foundation of the Canadian Confederation. Manitoba and the Northwest Territories concluded ceremonies which marked the 100th anniversary of their incorporation into the Dominion. The admission of British Columbia, which gave Canada its place on the Pacific Ocean, was commemorated in 1971 with much enthusiasm and a multitude of ceremonies and projects. As in the year before, our gracious Queen and other members of the Royal Family marked the event with an extensive tour, much to the delight of British Columbians and Canadians generally.
It gave my wife and me much satisfaction to take official part on several occasions in the British Columbia celebrations, as well as to travel abroad on behalf of Canada to The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Iran, in response to invitations from the heads of these States so well disposed towards Canada.
Since last I addressed you some 16 months ago, events in Canada and elsewhere have continued to demonstrate the turbulence of this age of changing values and shifting attitudes. We have witnessed with sadness outbursts of violence beyond our shores as despairing men and women have chosen to settle their differences through the use of force, extending in some cases to actual war. We have witnessed as well a period of international economic uncertainty which affected all of the industrialized nations of the world and which has made us increasingly aware of our dependence on a strong economic base in the pursuit of our social goals.
We learned in months gone by that Canada was not immune from internal pressures. In October, 1970 one of the most difficult national challenges in many years was met calmly, with discipline, and with the strong support of the people of Canada. There were sad moments but there were also memorable examples of resoluteness and courage.
More recently, we learned from another type of challenge, this time of an economic nature and coming from without rather than within, that Canada and Canadians possessed the stamina and the resilience to overcome this form of adversity as well.
Throughout, pressures for change around the world emphasized to us that the excitement and the promise of modern technological achievements become hollow and mocking to those who find in society little understanding of their hopes and little provision for their needs. In a period dominated by bigness, in an increasingly impersonal social system, one of the major challenges facing government is to remove the impression of isolation which so often surrounds men and women, depriving them of their sense of worth, of accomplishment, of fulfilment, and removing from them their identity as individuals.
Isolation takes many forms in Canada-physical distance, social stigma, economic deprival. In each of those forms it represents a degree of rejection, of exclusion, of estrangement. This country fails in its essential purpose if it does not ensure that its most precious resource, human talent, is not wasted away. Our challenge is to remove the barriers that create isolation, to permit each Canadian to detect-even if not always able to fulfil-his own potential, to ensure that his image of Canada is one of promise and compassion.

February 17, 1972
Speech from the Throne
Every one of us is enriched through involvement in this stimulating process we call Canada. Our goals and hopes are bound up in the restlessness and vitality of this rich land. We in this place have a special responsibility to help bring these goals and those hopes within reach, to make real the Canada of which our forefathers dreamed: a land so large that some of it will remain always serene and unspoiled; a society which believes in the dignity of every single individual; a community which husbands its resources and shares them justly among this generation and those to follow; an enterprise which permits and provokes each Canadian to contribute his skills and his talents.
There will be opportunity in this session of this parliament to pursue these ends. The Government will lay before you proposals to continue the development of our national wealth, to deal more compassionately with those in our midst who require help, to involve more Canadians in the ferment and satisfaction of community activities, to protect our natural heritage, and to strengthen our sense of identity and our image of ourselves.

Economic security is one of the most effective forces with which to counter social isolation. Job opportunities must be found and income uncertainties overcome if all Canadians are to share in the richness of this land. To permit the protection and enhancement of those values and those rights which distinguish Canada as a human place, a sound economy is absolutely essential. The attainment of such an economy retains a high priority in the Government's continuing programme. The social phenomenon of economic instability is present today in every industrialized country. We are fortunate that its ill effects have been less pronounced in Canada than elsewhere. Our success in increasing our real gross national product, in the creation of new jobs, and in the maintenance of price stability has been achieved through a policy which encourages an economic environment within which business and all elements of society are able to benefit. At the same time the Government has worked to strengthen and promote the economies of the less developed regions of Canada. Simultaneously, a range of programmes has been introduced to deal with the specific problems of those localities and individuals affected by unemployment at different times of the year.
Unemployment continues to be a matter of intense concern to the Government and will remain a primary focus of attention and action. Co-operation with the business and industrial communities will be extended even further to ensure a favourable business climate. As the economy continues to gain momentum, the private sector will be able increasingly to provide jobs for those Canadians in need of them. The Government will nevertheless redouble its efforts to make sure that as many jobs as possible are available and that the fullest possible use is made of the skills and initiatives of those who are seeking work. It will at the same time continue to exert its influence to prevent the erosion of incomes through the maintenance of reasonably stable prices of the goods and services required by Canadians.
Our economy is dependent, as are the economies of all industrialized countries, on the imagination of entrepreneurs and their use of research and innovation, as well as upon a rational industrial strategy. You will be informed in months to come of government proposals for improved policies in these areas which will be of immense importance to the long term development of our country: of policies for the use of science and technology designed to contribute not only to industry but to the qualitative improvement of the life of Canadians, of an industrial strategy prepared for the peculiar character of the Canadian economy. The basis of each will be spelled out as the session proceeds.
For more than a decade an issue which has attracted increasing interest and growing debate in this country has been that of the control of our economic environment. The debate has emphasized the dual aspects of Canada's identity and of economic benefit for Canadians. Further steps will be taken towards the resolution of this issue.
These policy proposals have been designed with a blend of realism and imagination, as Canada itself was designed more than a century ago. They are intended to permit this country to attain a degree of leadership and independence in selected fields of
(Mr. Speaker.)
endeavour while reducing overall Canadian vulnerability to events both expected and unexpected from beyond our shores.
A further imperative in the structuring of strong, internationally competitive industry is the development of a modern and workable competition policy. The development of such a policy, designed to achieve an efficient and innovative economy, capable of rapid growth and dynamic change, must proceed through consultation with all sectors of Canadian society. During the coming weeks the Government will continue this consultative process and will place before Parliament a revised policy reflecting the informed and constructive comments received and assistance gained.
A major factor in the strength of the Canadian economy is provided by exports. The Government will pursue vigorously the initiatives it has taken throughout the world to develop and maintain Canadian markets. Those advantages already gained by ministerial missions to other countries will be enlarged in a number of ways. One of these will involve the provision of better credit facilities. The private financial sector will be encouraged to involve itself increasingly in export financing. The Government will continue to develop programmes to strengthen secondary industry. Closer scientific and technological co-operation with other countries can be expected. Trade negotiations will seek to enlarge opportunities for Canadian manufacturers and the consultative machinery with the European Economic Community and its member states will be strengthened. Negotiations will continue with the United States so as to extend the benefits gained by each member of the world's most important trading partnership.
Policies designed to promote a related, yet distinct, sector of the economy-tourism, will be revealed in coming weeks.
A basic building block in the growth of Canada's national wealth has been the performance of our resource and energy industries. Over the years they have opened new frontiers and stimulated the development of the sinews and muscles of Canada; they have accumulated capital for reinvestment, enhanced the scientific and technical skills of Canadians, and accounted for a healthy export surplus. A continuation and strengthening of government-industry relations is necessary in order that such areas of challenge as environmental impact and the increasing demand both within Canada and abroad for resources and energy be fully addressed.
The competitive requirements for northern development will continue to be recognized; development will not be permitted at the expense of the northern peoples and the northern environment. To ensure the involvement of the residents of the north, and their participation in the design of their own future, there will be continued support for the development of local government in the northern territories.
Canada's primary food producers-our farmers and our fishermen-form one of the traditional and still basic strengths of our economy. Their continued productivity and livelihood is of immense importance to the Government and to the country. Improvements and achievements of the past several months will be strengthened and continued. Measures already undertaken and which have substantially improved prices to fishermen-upwards of 50 percent in some cases-will be extended, ensuring that the benefits of price support for fish products go to the fishermen themselves. Wheat farmers will be assured of an increased return equivalent to the higher price for wheat consumed as food by Canadians. To avoid distortions in food prices, the cost of this programme will be borne by the Treasury rather than by the consumer; to avoid distortions in production, a formula for distribution will be proposed which relates payments to grain acreage rather than to actual wheat production. The Government will assist further the position of farmers and fishermen through the implementation of several programmes. It proposes the establishment of new national marketing agencies and the implementation of a small farm development programme. The recent extensions of fisheries closing lines will permit the Government to engage more actively in the management of its marine resources so as to increase the supply of fish available to Canadian fishermen in the waters off our coasts.
Both the effectiveness and the quality of any programme for the provision of services to Canadians depends increasingly upon a
February 17.1972

harmonious fiscal relationship between the Federal government and the governments of the ten provinces. Legislation will be introduced, therefore, proposing the renewal and improvement of equalization arrangements, increasing to 100 percent the level of stabilization of provincial revenues, and a number of other items. These will include the administration on behalf of requesting provinces of succession duties and gift taxes, the extension for two years of the transfers to provinces respecting post-secondary education, the provision of a five-year revenue guarantee to provinces to protect their income tax revenues under the new system, and the sharing with provinces of the special tax on undistributed corporate income.
As a further protection against the isolation of individuals caused by economic deprivation, the fundamental reform of protective measures which commenced last year with the new Unemployment Insurance Act will continue. A new Canada Labour Code, reflecting the many representations received in past months, will be introduced as will important amendments to the Fair Employment Practices Act. The Canada Manpower programmes will be improved and additional steps will be taken to make the training and placement services adequate to the needs of specially disadvantaged people whose particular problems present challenges which cannot be met with the use of regular programme resources or techniques. For those persons seeking to further their education, the loan limits under the Canada Student Loans Act will be raised, permitting students to borrow more within a given year and increasing significantly the total amount available under the programme.

The isolation which a product of social injustice is less well understood than that which comes from economic denial. Nevertheless, its consequences dare not be ignored by any society. The irony of isolation in an urban surrounding cannot be resolved by any single act. One essential, however, is the provision of adequate housing of high standard to all Canadians. More dwelling units were started in 1971 than in any single year in our history, including a record number for lower income families. It is clear, however, that Canada's housing needs cannot be met only through increases in scale. What is required, and what the Government will be proposing, are fresh concepts, continuing research, and imagination in neighbourhood improvement with emphasis on the need for low cost housing.
In order to achieve our goal of full participation by all members of society, all barriers leading to isolation must be removed. We cannot invite respect for our laws and support for our institutions from persons to whom they are irrelevant or ineffective. Government activities must reflect the needs of all Canadians, not only the favoured. A giant step in this direction was taken with the adoption last session of tax reform legislation which spreads more evenly the burden of social services on those Canadians best able to bear it. Another step, and long overdue, consists of policies to ensure the equality of women in Canadian society. These will be announced this session.
Protective steps will be proposed in a number of areas of wide concern to Canadians-the non-medical use of drugs, compensation for victims of crime, and the protection of privacy. Progress toward more humane treatment of offenders will continue with further reforms in the penal and parole systems. Amendments will be proposed for reforms in the administration of the criminal law. The Government is committed as well to federal participation in legal aid subject to satisfactory cost-sharing and administrative details being worked out.
It is the view of the Government that the most important single factor in the attainment of individual dignity and active social involvement is the assurance of a secure income. Considerable progress towards the goal of a total income security programme for all Canadians is achieved in the new Family Income Security Plan bill which will be presented for your consideration. The emphasis in this plan is on protection and is consistent with the Government's belief in the strong sense of self-reliance of Canadians.
Speech from the Throne
The pride with which Canadians regard this country and which inspires them to identify with it springs from many sources. Some of these are physical in nature, some cultural, still others are economic. Canadians find in the vast spaces of this land, in its rugged coasts, in its throbbing vitality and in its serene tranquility something of themselves. It is the intention of the Government that immense areas of Canada be preserved in their natural state for the enjoyment of this generation and of generations to come. For the first time some of the grandeur and the wilderness which is Canada's north will be guaranteed perpetual preservation through incorporation into the National Parks System. You will be asked to approve legislation which will create three new parks north of the 60th parallel, each as large and as spectacular as any in the world. These three parks, plus the seven new parks created since 1968, mean that for the first time in our history every province and territory will include within it a national park for the benefit of our people.
Companion legislation will be introduced to provide wildlife habitats and to protect certain endangered wildlife species.
While taking care to preserve for the future, we should, wherever possible, preserve and restore those achievements of the past which are an essential element in our self-understanding as a people. You will be asked to consider, therefore, a bill creating and endowing a corporation to be known as Heritage Canada which will go far to ensure the preservation of items and collections from Canada's past and to make these accessible for the enjoyment and understanding of Canadians in all parts of the country. Heritage Canada, complemented by a broadened National Museums policy, will demonstrate the achievements of our fore-fathers and their successes in overcoming physical isolation and in converting dreams into reality.
Still another form of isolation springs from indifferent communications services. It is a matter of concern to the Government that at this moment many communities do not receive the natior al broadcasting service and that some one million Canadians in 260 communities receive no television service in their own language. The Government proposes, therefore, that the C.B.C. be authorized to extend its services in a comprehensive fashion and to utilize the capabilities of Canada's pioneer satellite communications system to assure within a five year period that at least 98 percent of Canadians are served.

The standards against which a society is judged by others and by history are often those chosen by the society itself. The image it projects, the values to which it adheres, the treatment it accords the disadvantaged in its midst; these are matters for each society to determine, and in determining to be judged. In our relations with one another, in federal-provincial relations, in Canada's relations with other countries, our values are both guides and distinguishing features. Canada is committed to the betterment of life for all, to the resolution of differences by reason not force, to the practice of tolerance, to the acceptance of love and understanding as the most important of human traits. The Government, therefore, will continue to participate fully in international efforts for peace and for the well-being of people everywhere. It will continue to do what it can on behalf of the Canadian people to assist those who are afflicted by calamities, both natural and man-made.
The fluidity in world affairs marked by events in the past months and those expected in the near future present to us an opportunity to deepen and enrich our relationships with our old friends and to seek and strengthen friendships with others both within and without the councils and agencies of the United Nations. Isolation within the international community is as barren and damaging as is isolation within a domestic society. The visits to Canada in 1971 of such distinguished Heads of State and Government as the Presidents of Yugoslavia, Nauru and Niger, and the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, Ceylon, Ghana, Malaysia, Fiji, Senegal, and Israel illustrate the universality of Canada's attitude to the world.
Canada's lines of communication and understanding continue to stand open in all directions. In particular, our ties with our friends in the new Europe and our attachment to the United States remain of the greatest importance. A United States which is strong,

February 17, 1972
4_________________________________________
Speech from the Throne
dynamic and outward looking is vital to the success of Canada's international endeavours and to our ability to contribute to the well-being of fellow Commonwealth countries and of those states in receipt of Canadian economic assistance including the fellow members of 1'Agence de Cooperation culturelle et technique des pays francophones to whose important conference we acted with pride as host last autumn. The Government and all Canadians anticipate with considerable pleasure the visit to Canada this spring of the President of the United States and Mrs. Nixon.

Our age is marked by inconsistency. Within our societies, the trend all too often is toward increases in size and of impersonality in human relationships while on the planet itself the speed of communication has created a new intimacy among nations. In these circumstances, there is both challenge and opportunity for governments and for individuals. Canada is seized of the challenge. The Government pledges itself to turn the opportunities to the benefit of individual Canadians.

Members of the House of Commons:
During this Session, you will be asked to grant the necessary funds for the services and expenditures authorized by Parliament. Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
The Prime Minister will lay before you today a list of bills that will be submitted to you during the Session.
May Divine Providence guide you in your deliberations. [Translation]


Pierre Elliott Trudeau: That the speech of His Excellency the Governor General, delivered this day from the Throne to both Houses of Parliament, be taken into consideration later this day.


Mr. Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre):: Mr. Speaker, 'I rise to say a few words on the motion just presented by the Prime Minister. I should also like to move an amendment to it. I realize that the amendment I shall propose may seem to ask for something that is a bit unusual on the first day of a session. However, may I point out that in actual fact this is the second day in a row that we are here and, with the way things are now planned, there will be no question period and no opportunity for members of the House to say anything until we are present on the third day. Since there was no question period yesterday, I believe there should be one today. I therefore move, seconded by the hon. member for Vancouver East (Mr. Winch):
That the motion be amended by adding at the end thereof the following words: "immediately after a forty minute oral question period, as provided by Standing Order 15".


Mr. Speaker:: Order, please. The House has heard the amendment proposed by the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre. As hon. members may suspect, obviously there are some procedural difficulties connected with an amendment of this type. It might be construed, I suggest to the House, as a substantive motion. However, I should not like to rule on it immediately. If hon. members want to give their views, I will hear them and then rule on whether the amendment proposed by the hon. member is in order.


Stanley Howard Knowles: Mr. Speaker, may I first point out that the motion that was proposed by the Prime Minister must have been moved with the consent of the House. The Prime Minister moved it without
having given any advance notice. It might be suggested that there was no opportunity for him to do this; however, under the new rules he could have done so. Therefore I take it that he has moved it under the provisions of Standing Order 43 and has had the consent of the House to do so. The motion having been moved, it is a debatable motion and therefore an amendable motion. I point out that it must be the kind of motion that is referred to in Standing Order 32(p), namely, a motion for "the arrangement of its proceedings", the proceedings of the House.
May I also point out, Sir, that Standing Order 15 provides the order of business for each day of the House. This is a Thursday. On Thursday, according to Standing Order 15, immediately after routine proceedings we are supposed to have oral questions for 40 minutes. The motion that the Prime Minister moved, of which he gave no notice and which the House allowed him to present, would set aside that right of the House on Thursday for an oral question period of 40 minutes. I submit, therefore, that since the question of the proceedings of the House for today, brought before us by the motion, has been brought before us in a way that is out of the ordinary, it is proper for the House to ask that the Standing Order be adhered to and that there be a question period.
Your Honour suggested that my amendment might be a substantive motion. I suggest that the substance of a question period is not introduced by my motion. That is already there, in Standing Order 15. I am simply asking for one of the rights and privileges of the House to be respected. That is why I ask that the words of any amendment be added to the motion so that we can proceed to consider the Speech from the Throne later this day, as the Prime Minister suggested, after we have had a regular, 40 minute oral question period.


Mr. G. W. Baldwin (Peace River):: Mr. Speaker, I will not attempt to enlarge on the procedural arguments advanced by the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre (Mr. Knowles). I will content myself with saying to Your Honour and the House that, as Your Honour will have gathered from what we attempted to do yesterday, I am substantially and thoroughly in agreement with the hon. member. I ask Your Honour, in considering your approach to this matter, to be vigilant in trying to find ways and means in order that the House should not be deprived for a second day in a row of its right to ask questions of the government.


Mr. Real Caouette (Temiscamingue):: Mr. Speaker, aside from the procedural aspect, I consider quite reasonable the suggestion brought forward by the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre (Mr. Knowles) to the effect that we should have a question period today. The right hon. Prime Minister (Mr. Trudeau) could well accede to this suggestion of the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre in order to avoid unnecessary discussion and so that we could, by unanimous agreement, have a 40-minute question period immediately upon resumption of the proceedings, if Your Honour so authorizes.
In any case, we consider the suggestion to be quite valid and most reasonable.


February IT 1972


Hon. Allan J. MacEachen (President oi the Privy Council):: Mr. Speaker, as I understand the tradition of this country and of this parliament it is that when, on the very first day of a session of parliament, an address is given by His Excellency, the representative of the Crown, it is the first duty of the Commons to consider that address.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


Allan Joseph MacEachen: Today, the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre (Mr. Knowles), in what can only be considered as a publicity-seeking move-


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


Allan Joseph MacEachen: -has sought to interrupt what has been the tradition of this parliament since the very beginning. We have started a new session. What happened in the previous session is finished and over with. There has never been a request in any new session of parliament to have a question period before the address of His Excellency is considered by the House.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Gerald William Baldwin: The country has never been in such a mess before.


Allan Joseph MacEachen: If the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre wishes to change the traditional form, if he wishes to alter the traditional courtesy that has been extended to the Crown by this House, then he ought to take the more direct method and move a motion at an appropriate time to send the whole question to the Standing Committee on Procedure and Organization for consideration. If he wants to dismantle the Speech from the Throne, if he wants to dismantle the address in reply, let him do it directly.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


An hon. Member:: This is the year to support the Crown.


Mr. Speaker:: Order, please. I do not wish to dismantle the minister's speech, but I would invite hon. members to limit their contributions as much as possible to the procedural aspect of the matter. I am not suggesting that this has been done necessarily by the other members who have participated in this brief debate. However, for the guidance of the Chair I think it might be useful to limit our debate at this time to the procedural question of whether this amendment is in order. I think that the substance of the matter, whether there ought to be or ought not to be a question period, is the substance of the amendment that is under consideration at the present time.


Allan Joseph MacEachen: Mr. Speaker, I want to make one more comment. I think it ought to be underlined that never in the history of this country, never in the history of this parliament, has there been a request for a question period
Speech from the Throne
before the opportunity for the House to proceed to the consideration of the Speech from the Throne, which is the message of the Crown to this House. That is new. That is an entirely new request. It has never been made in this House.
The motion that has been put by the Prime Minister (Mr. Trudeau) is a form motion. It is not amendable. There is no way that the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre can hope to amend this motion and ask the House at this point to vote on whether we should have a question period. Procedurally, it is absurd. It should not be considered. I am surprised. Maybe some day, probably a long time away, members of the opposition will sit on this side of the House.


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


Gerald William Baldwin: Very soon.


Allan Joseph MacEachen: When that happens and when we come from the other place, after they have laboured for many days to produce a message that will be considered by the House, they will say: No, let us not do that; let us have a question period for 40 minutes. This is the idea they have supported today. What has happened to the party of Macdonald, Borden and Diefenbaker?


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


Some hon. Members:: Shame!


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Allan Joseph MacEachen: Mr. Speaker, the official opposition is taking its lead from the new republican, the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


Mr. Speaker:: Order, please. Is the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre rising for the purpose of asking a question?


Stanley Howard Knowles: Mr. Speaker, before the minister resumes his seat I should like to ask him a question. The President of the Privy Council (Mr. MacEachen) said that our first duty out of courtesy to the Crown is to deal with the Speech from the Throne. May I ask him if he has forgotten the fact that the Prime Minister (Mr. Trudeau) has already introduced Bill C-l to assert our right as a Commons to deal with our own matters first?


Mr. Speaker:: Order, please. The hon. member for Edmonton West.


Hon. Marcel Lambert (Edmonton West):: Mr. Speaker, it is not my intention to indulge or engage in polemics or a diatribe with the President of the Privy Council (Mr. MacEachen) who seems to be moved by some inspiration today that is rather contrary to that which should apply at this time.
I was going to raise the same point raised by the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre (Mr. Knowles). I would simply add that the President of the Privy Council did make the allegation that it was traditional courtesy for
6

February 17, 1972
Speech from the Throne
the House to consider the message from His Excellency as the primary matter of business for today. Our rules have always provided, and it has been traditional as long as the minister has sat in this House and long before, that the Prime Minister, on behalf of the House, should move the traditional motion involving the rather empty and symbolic bill regarding the administration of oaths of office merely to show that the House is the master of its business and is not taking direction from the message of His Excellency. I therefore suggest to Your Honour that that argument falls to the ground.
Second, if the matter of a question period looms larger today, the answer lay in the hands of the government yesterday. The government which through what would I call almost parliamentary sharp practice-


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


Marcel Joseph Aimé Lambert: -decided to summon parliament back and to have Your Honour prepare and distribute an order paper with items of unfinished business listed thereon. But the treasury benches then directed that the messenger from the other place should arrive almost as soon as Your Honour entered the chamber. The treasury benches decided when that intervention should be made and, in saying this, I am not guilty of lese majesty or otherwise. If a question period had been granted yesterday, as it should have been, there would not have been this pressure today. On that score I say that the amendment put forward by the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre is acceptable in principle for today's deliberations.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Mr. Speaker:: I have to indicate to hon. members that in my view the contributions which have been made to this brief procedural debate have not been addressed principally to the procedural point. Hon. members have suggested that it might be proper today to have a question period, that there ought to be a question period today because there was not one yesterday, that it is the duty of the government to provide an opportunity for hon. members to ask questions, and that it is our duty to go on with Routine Proceedings. I suggest this does not have anything at all to do with the point that I brought to the attention of hon. members.
My suggestion when the matter was raised was that the amendment was not procedurally correct. I have not received much assistance from hon. members in this respect, and I think my ruling will have to be that the amendment is a substantive motion and is not an amendment which can be attached to the motion before the House.
Dealing with the matter in a substantive way, hon. members have suggested that we should proceed in the usual way with Routine Proceedings and that the motion made by the Prime Minister was made under Standing Order 43. With respect, I cannot agree with this suggestion. The motion was made on the basis of parliamentary tradition. My understanding is that this is the kind of motion which is proposed and the proceedings which we have today are based on 100 years of Canadian practice and, I am sure,
[Mr. Lambert (Edmonton West).)
many more years of British practice. I think the Chair has a responsibility to recognize this.
One hon. member suggested that perhaps this should be changed. That may be so. Hon. members may feel that on the first day of the session the procedure should be changed, that we should not have the formal motions that are made and should not proceed in the way that we do, without Routine Proceedings, to the consideration of the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne. I believe that one of the responsibilities of the Speaker is not to change these traditions but to protect them. I am prepared to do so in this particular case.
I am not suggesting that the motion cannot be amended. It could be amended. If a procedurally acceptable amendment were submitted for the consideration of the Chair, I would have no hesitation in putting the amendment and calling in the members. But my conclusion, and the ruling I must make is that the amendment proposed by the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre cannot be accepted. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?


Stanley Howard Knowles: On division.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau: Mr. Speaker, I request leave of the House to table a list of the titles of the several bills which were referred to in His Excellency's speech. I would ask, Mr. Speaker, that this list be printed in today's Hansard.


Gerald William Baldwin: Mr. Speaker, we would be prepared to give consent. However, to facilitate hon. members in studying this list, may I ask the Prime Minister whether the list showing all these bills will show which are carryovers from the last session and which from the session before?


Allan Joseph MacEachen: Would you also like to know the ones we will be doing next session?


Gerald William Baldwin: In addition, I would like to ask the government, particularly the President of the Privy Council, if these bills will be brought forward shortly so that the House will not be compelled to wait, as it had to in the last session, for these bills to be produced so they can be examined?


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Pierre Elliott Trudeau: Mr. Speaker, if the research assistants of the opposition were properly engaged rather than looking for ways to trample traditions concerning the monarchy and parliament-


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


Mr. Speaker:: Order, please. The Prime Minister seeks permission to table a document and have it included in Hansard as part of today's proceedings. Is this agreed?


Some hon. Members:: Agreed.
[Editor's Note: The list referred to above follows.]
1.	A Bill to Amend the Criminal Code.
2.	A Bill to Amend the British North America Acts 1867-1965.

3.	An Act to Amend the Northern Canada Power Commission Act.
4.	A Bill to Amend the Income Tax Act.
5.	A Bill to Amend the C.N.R. Financing and Guarantee Act.
6.	A Bill to Amend the Farm Credit Act.
7.	An Act to Amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act.
8.	Protection of Privacy Bill.
9.	A Bill to Amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act.
10.	A Bill to Amend the Explosives Act.
11.	A Bill to Amend the Canada Labour Code.
12.	National Parks Legislation.
13.	Legislation respecting New Financing Mechanisms and Institutions for Residential Mortgage Market.
14.	National Anthem Legislation.
15.	A Bill to Amend the Fair Employment Practices Act.
16.	A Bill to Amend the Canada Wildlife Act.
17.	A Bill to Amend the Agriculture Exhibitions Assistance Act.
18.	A Bill to Amend the National Housing Act.
19.	A Bill respecting Heritage Canada (Heritage Trust).
20.	Family Income Security Legislation.
21.	Uranium and Thorium Legislation.
22.	Competition Legislation.
23.	Judges Act Amendments.
24.	Medicare Legislation.
25.	Adult Occupational Training Legislation.
26.	A Bill to Amend the Industry, Trade and Commerce Act.
27.	A Bill respecting the Territorial Courts of the Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories.
28.	Legislation on Foreign Ownership Policy.
29.	A Bill respecting Cigarette Products.



INTERNAL ECONOMY COMMISSION

[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. P. E. Trudeau (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 Honourable Allan Joseph MacEachen, President of the Queens's Privy Council for Canada, the Honourable Charles Mills Drury, President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Jean Chretien, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the Honourable Donald Stovel Macdonald, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, to act with the Speaker of the House of Commons as commissioners for the purposes and under the provisions of chapter H-9 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1970, entituled: An Act respecting the House of Commons.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by Mr. MacEachen (Cape Breton High-
Proposed Legislation
lands-Canso) that Mr. Gerald Laniel, member for the electoral district of Beauharnois-Salaberry, be appointed Deputy Chairman of the Committees of the whole.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by Mr. MacEachen (Cape Breton High-lands-Canso) that Mr. Prosper Boulanger, member for the electoral district of Mercier, be appointed Assistant Deputy Chairman of Committees of the whole.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau: Mr. Speaker, I move:
That, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 2(2), the House shall meet at 11 o'clock a.m. on Friday, February 18, 1972, and that such sitting shall not be adjourned until the leaders of all parties have spoken in the Address Debate.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau: Mr. Speaker, I suggest that the sitting be suspended until two o'clock this afternoon.


Mr. Speaker:: The House has heard the suggestion. Is it agreed?


Some hon. Members:: Agreed.


Mr. Speaker:: The sitting stands suspended until two o'clock this afternoon.
At 12.17 p.m. the sitting of the House was suspended until 2 p.m.



SITTING RESUMED

[Stage Direction]
The House resumed at 2 p.m.


[Stage Direction]
The House proceeded to the consideration of the speech delivered by His Excellency the Governor General at the opening of the session.
Mr. Ross Whicher (Bruce):: Mr. Speaker, it is with great sincerity that I open my remarks by saying that it is indeed a genuine pleasure to be called upon by the Prime Minister (Mr. Trudeau), and the members of his government, to move the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne. All of the constituents of the riding of Bruce share this honour with me.
25020-2J

February IT 1972
Speech from the Throne
The riding of Bruce consists of the whole of Bruce county arid what is known as the northern part of western Ontario. It also includes five townships in the county of Grey along with the town of Hanover. While there are several good sized towns, it can certainly be described as a rural riding. I am sure that every member of the House of Commons is proud of the area that he or she represents. I, too, have that pride, and it is even greater today than usual, not simply because I have been asked to give this speech, but because of the several great things that are taking place in the riding itself.
The huge Douglas Point project is the largest single piece of construction work that is going on in Canada at the present time. When it is completed, the sum of $1.5 billion will have been spent on construction work alone.


Stanley Howard Knowles: You are in the
wrong House.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: This includes the largest heavy water plant of its type in the world, one that we all hope will work and not end up in the tragic circumstances in which the one in Nova Scotia now finds itself.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: To complement this plant, which is being constructed for Atomic Energy of Canada, Ontario Hydro is building a three million kilowatt nuclear power station. To illustrate the vastness of this power station may I remind you, Mr. Speaker, that the total energy requirements of the whole of Ontario 15 years ago were about six million kilowatts. Many hundreds of workers are at this very moment working on both of these projects which, when they are completed, will mean so much to the development of Ontario and indeed to Canada as a whole.
Many of the members here today are fully conversant with the fact that Canada is putting a telecommunications satellite into the atmosphere during the next year or so. Like our American friends, who have tracking stations all over the world in order to send men into space we, too, must have stations all over Canada to receive information and to send information to the satellite many miles in space. The significance of this operation is the fact that the command station for the whole operation is now being constructed at Allan Park, just east of Hanover, in the riding of Bruce, and many millions of dollars are being spent there.
Like many rural communities in Canada, up until only a few months ago, we were serviced by only one television station. Last year, however, we were successful in having CKCO of Kitchener build a satellite station north of Wiar-ton, and now most of the riding is privileged to have alternate viewing.
Many hon. members will appreciate the fact that, over the past several years, I have been keenly interested in the agricultural problems of Canada.


Mr. Peters:: I haven't noticed it.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: There has been a good reason for this. We are primarily an agricultural area. Proudly, we lay claim to the fact that we are the beef capital of Canada, and

right at this moment there are approximately 255,000 beef cattle being fed in the County of Bruce alone, plus many more thousands that are in the Grey part of the riding. Besides beef cattle, our farmers are extensively engaged in the dairy industry and in the feeding of hogs and poultry. We are a tourist area, too, and Bruce County alone has over 200 miles of shoreline on the Great Lakes. Thousands of cottagers, both Canadian and American, make their summer home with us, and are most welcome. Our rural communities and small towns are most pleasant places to live, and most of the residents prefer these communities to the more populated areas in Ontario.
Lumbering was a great industry in years gone by and because of that fact many furniture factories started in the various towns of the riding. Many of them, whose names are known across the length of Canada, are still producing an excellent quality.
But I did not come here today to speak solely of the great riding of Bruce. I come, Mr. Speaker, to lay the cards on the table, as I see them, relating to the problems and disappointments with which this government is faced, along with the many good things that have been accomplished by the same government.


An hon. Member:: Tell us about the unemployment insurance situation.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: For example, no one can deny the unhappy circumstances in which many of our unemployed find themselves today.


An hon. Member:: You are right.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: It makes us all sad; not just members of the opposition, but indeed every single member of the Liberal caucus.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: We will see how much you fellows shout in the next few minutes.
May I say with all the emphasis at my command that I am proud of this government that had the gumption to tackle that horrible parasite known as inflation, because if it had not there would have been a million Canadians unemployed now instead of the still tragic figure of 650 thousand. This must be the main objective of this government. The number one priority is to get these people back to work while at the same time keeping inflation under control as much as possible, in order that we may continue exporting billions of dollars worth of goods, because, on a population basis, this country has the highest rate of exports of any country in the world.
My greatest criticism of this government, however, is the fact that it has not sold to the Canadian people the many good things that it has accomplished since coming into office.


Mr. Bell:: Explain.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Last Sunday evening I heard an official spokesman for the Conservative party speak on "The Nation's Business". I will not name him here. As a matter of fact, I strongly suspect that the Tory party will want to
February 17, 1972

forget his name as the speech was filled with abuse, vindictiveness and downright lies. In passing, I might say that he announced that he had taken a leave of absence after more than 20 years as a journalist to enter politics actively as a supporter of the Conservative party. I strongly suggest that he keep his tie with his former occupation as he will most certainly need it. Even the Tories wouldn't accept a man like that around here. In his speech, he castigated the government for giving an increase of only 42 cents per month to the old age pensioners of Canada. This, of course, is a downright falsehood, but it seems to me that this government has allowed this falsehood to spread without attempting to see that the people of Canada are told the truth.


An hon. Member:: Tell us the truth.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: What are the facts about the senior citizens of this nation of ours, and how has the government treated them? The truth is, Mr. Speaker, that at the present moment approximately 600 thousand of our senior citizens are drawing $135 per month as single persons and $255 per month as a married couple at age 65, and not at age 70 as was the case when the last Tory government was in power in this country. And I repeat that they draw $255 per month as a couple and not $130 as was the case, once again, when the last Tory government had control of the House of Commons. These, Mr. Speaker, are the highest old age pensions in the world. The government should be proud of this and every member of the House of Commons should be just as proud. It is true that approximately one-third of our senior citizens are still drawing $80 per month or $160 as a couple, but every one of these people has another source of income.
Indeed a small minority of them have large incomes. The remaining one-third of our senior citizens are drawing supplementary benefits, somewhere in between the minimum of $80 per month and the maximum of $135 per month. Am I ashamed of these figures? Am I ashamed of the way that we treat our fathers and mothers, who truly made Canada great? Once again I say, these are the highest old age pensions in the whole world. But this is not all that we do for our senior citizens.


William Arnold Peters: He acknowledges the pensions.


An hon. Member:: Shut up and listen.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: In the province of Ontario, for example, as of January 1 of this year every person over the age of 65 gets absolutely free medical and hospital services. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on providing homes for the aged, both by governments and by private concerns. In many areas of the province, tax rebates are given to senior citizens on their municipal taxes. Transportation expenses are sometimes cut in half and entertainment costs are greatly reduced. But this is not all.


Mr. Alexander:: I want to hear more about your riding.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: What my hon. friend means of course, Mr. Speaker, is that he does not like to hear the facts.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!
Speech from the Throne


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: As of January 1 of this year, no senior citizen in Canada who derives any supplementary benefits from our old age security legislation will pay one single nickel in income tax, and we should be proud of that.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Are my friends to the left not going to cheer for the senior citizens? When you Tories were in power, they certainly paid. Without any doubt I can say here this afternoon that the senior citizens of Canada have the benefit of the just society promised by our government.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: There is another group in our society who, like our senior citizens, have given their all to their country. I refer to the almost one million veterans who are still alive in Canada. As a matter of fact, there are only two countries in the whole world who think enough of their veterans to have a minister of veterans affairs. I am not referring to England, the United States or Germany. One is France and the other is Canada, and we should be proud of that.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: We should also be proud of the fact that, as a result of the new legislation that came through last year under the then minister of veterans affairs, the pensions paid to our veterans are the highest pensions anywhere in the world today.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: I should like to refer to this nice booklet which some of my friends have not read, and no doubt choose to ignore, called "Pensions for Disability and Death Related to Military Service". I ask you, when you have time, to look at some of the pensions that we are paying to the veterans of Canada, who of course deserve them. Other veterans in the rest of the world deserve them also, but we pay the most. May I remind you of the fact that a single pensioner in Canada from either World War I or II, who receives a full pension, now receives $292 a month absolutely tax free, and that a pensioner with a wife and three children receives $460 a month absolutely tax free. This is not too much, but the fact is that this government has given the veterans of Canada more than anyone else in the world, and I am proud of that.


Gerald William Baldwin: I gather you like the government.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: We in Canada live in a most peculiar situation.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


William Arnold Peters: You could have substituted the word "Liberal".


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: It may be a peculiar situation, but not as peculiar as some of my friends to the left.


Gerald William Baldwin: How far left?

February 17, 1972
Speech from the Throne


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Thank God that the great country to the south of us is the United States of America, but in thanking Him let us remember that this situation creates many difficulties too. Last year, the United States had a deficit of $38 billion and this year they are budgeting for a deficit of $25 billion. How does one live beside a nation such as this that spends such huge quantities of money, that has ten times our population, and for that matter has a much warmer climate? But in spite of this proximity, we have done a reasonably good job here.
Last autumn, a tax bill was passed in the House of Commons, bitterly opposed by all members of the opposition, which raised the tax exemption from $1,000 to $1,500 for single persons and from $2,000 to $2,850 for married couples. Not enough, says the opposition, but it is approximately a 50 per cent increase and certainly a step in the right direction. I cannot resist putting the question to my hon. friends to the left: how much did they raise it the last time that they were in office? Not one single nickel.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: But the government did better than this; they gave an additional exemption of $650 to every taxpayer on reaching the age of 65 as opposed to the exemption of $500 at the age of 70 which existed previously. Not enough, says the opposition, but how much did my Conservative friends increase it the last time they were in office? Once again, not one single nickel.
For years, many Canadians, particularly young working mothers, have said that there should be some tax exemption for them to allow for a baby sitter or a housekeeper. The then minister of finance answered the challenge, and now up to $2,000 can be allowed to the working mother. Not enough, the opposition will say, but may I remind them that it is a mighty fine start. Working men and women are being allowed $150 for clothes and tools used in their particular vocation.


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh.


An hon. Member:: Big deal.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Not enough, the opposition says, but again, how much did they allow when they were in government? Once again, not one single nickel.
Many of these good points have not been sold to the people of Canada. There are many more that could be mentioned. Just as an example, I remember the hue and cry that went up from the small businessmen of this nation when it was suggested in the White Paper on Taxation that all corporations would be placed on the same tax basis, whether big or small. This government, rightly so in my opinion, put into tax law percentages that allow the small businessmen to pay only half of what the big corporations pay up to a very reasonable profit figure. It is human nature to dislike any form of taxation, but this government has made our tax laws much fairer than they were in the past. An example of this is the implementation of a capital gains tax for the first time in Canada's history. In my opinion, at least 90 per cent of all Canadians are in favour of this tax, but in spite of this some members of the opposition, in their attempt to gain favour with big business, were opposed to this very fair method of taxa-
[Mr. Baldwin.)
tion that has been implemented by every single western nation.
My concluding remarks on this particular subject are that Canadians as a whole owe a great debt of gratitude to the Hon. Edgar Benson,-


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: -who took a fantastic amount of criticism without wincing and finally brought forth a fair taxation plan for the citizens of this nation. Mr. Speaker, if the members of the opposition do not think I am right, then let them ask the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who will pay no further taxes, and ask the millions whose taxes are being reduced.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Ever since World War II, the agricultural industry of Canada has not had a square deal. With rising costs, and in many instances reduced prices for the products they produce, farmers have been caught in an economic squeeze that is unreasonable and unbearable. The difficulty was not caused merely by the fact that other segments of the economy had their incomes raised while, on the other hand, farmers in most instances were receiving the same income or, in many instances, less income. I have stated in this chamber previously, and I do so again now, that the agriculture industry in many instances is worse off now than it was when I first entered politics 17 years ago. But, Mr. Speaker, I can truthfully say that I can see a light. It is my honest belief that the agriculture industry, after a long delay, is on the way up.
The beef industry is in great shape, and indeed prices are at a point where a farmer can make a reasonable return on his investment. The dairy industry is in much better shape than it was two years ago. Thanks to a great selling effort by private enterprise, under the direction of the Canadian Dairy Commission, practically all our stocks of powdered milk have been sold. As a result, prices have increased and those engaged in the dairy industry in Canada, while not getting paid as much as they should, are at least making a living.
Let me not minimize the fantastic amount of hard work that our dairy farmers do. Let me emphasize that on each day of every year, including Sundays and holidays, cows have to be milked twice a day. With this as a background, I say to you now that I hope dairy prices will improve, but at the same time I emphasize that the industry as a whole is in much better shape than it was when the government came into power.
Our hog producers, who faced disastrous prices last year because of over-production in the whole of North America, are receiving a subsidy from the Minister of Finance (Mr. Turner) of $5 for every hog of good quality, up to a maximum of 200 hogs, which will result in $25 million being put into the pockets of our hog producers. No one deserves it more; the fact is that their plight has been recognized by the government.
A two price system for wheat has been brought into being by the government. This is something that was requested, even demanded, by the wheat producers for many years. It will put an extra $60 million into the

pockets of the wheat producers of this country. However, I emphasize that after many years of frustration it was this government that had the gumption and the foresight to give the wheat farmers of Canada the square deal that they are now getting.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Many years ago I used to read about the great salesmanship of the Hon. Alvin Hamilton, minister of agriculture in the Conservative government. I admired him because he sold wheat and grain to the markets of the world. But, Mr. Speaker, if hon. members of the opposition are proud of that gentleman's name, how much prouder should they be of the Hon. Otto Lang who, last year, sold more wheat than in any other year in the history of Canada?


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: I ask my western friends only one thing. Tell the farmers of western Canada of the great salesmanship job that the Hon. Otto Lang has done. Just as a matter of interest, Mr. Speaker, I received a letter on my desk this morning from the Sales and Marketing Executive Association of Regina which is having an awards dinner to honour the Hon. Otto Lang as salesman of the year.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Mr. Speaker, it is incomprehensible to me why members of the opposition do not clap. This minister sold western products. They should be proud of him.
I also ask my western friends to tell the farmers that it was chiefly through the efforts of the Hon. Otto Lang, and of the hon. Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Olson), that they got a two price system for wheat. They should also tell farmers that it was the Minister of Agriculture who spearheaded the efforts to get the government to give the hog producers a $5 subsidy for their hogs.
Just before the New Year, Parliament passed a national marketing bill, known as Bill C-176, which does more to influence my decision that the agricultural industry is on the way up than any other piece of legislation. It was an act that, in principle, was asked for by every major agricultural body in the country. It is an act that, for the first time in history, will allow the farmers to run their own show. At all times there will be a majority of producing farmers on the council that administers the act. It will allow farmers, if they wish, to have agencies set up for any product, and will, for the first time in history, help ensure that the agricultural community will get fair prices for the food commodities that it produces. I repeat that the farmers of Canada wanted this legislation, and after nearly two years it has been given to them by the government, with the proper amendments that the agricultural community sought.
You may remember, Mr. Speaker, that we stayed here until the early hours of the morning to pass that bill through the House. I remember the Prime Minister (Mr. Trudeau) sitting here for hours that night, showing an interest in the farmers of Canada.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!
Speech from the Throne


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: But where, Mr. Speaker, were the leaders of the other parties?


Some hon. Members:: Shame!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: I haven't any idea where they were, but one thing I do know is that they were not here looking after the interests of the farmers of Canada.


Mr. Speaker:: I have to interrupt the hon. member to inform him that the time allotted to him under the terms of the Standing Order have expired.


Some hon. Members:: Carry on.


Mr. Speaker:: He can continue only with the consent of the House.


Some hon. Members:: Agreed.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Mr. Speaker, when I was at home during the past month I must confess that none of my farming friends asked where the leader of the New Democratic Party was on that particular night. They really don't care. However, I was asked by some of my Conservative friends where the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Stanfield) was when his help was needed to get this bill through. I replied that I did not know, but that I would certainly ask him at the first opportunity. No doubt at the opportune moment both of these leaders will tell us where they were.
Last year we had a crisis in Canada. The FLQ were raising havoc in the great city of Montreal. Hindsight is a great thing to have and it may very well be that, as a result of looking into the past, we may conclude the government over-reacted, at least to some degree on that particular occasion. But there is one thing that we do know, namely that one very responsible cabinet minister of the Quebec government was murdered and one senior official of the British government was kidnapped. There is one other thing that we know, if we are honest with ourselves, and that is that 98 per cent of the people of Canada stood behind the Prime Minister in the action that he took in that hazardous hour.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: The Leader of the Creditistes (Mr. Caouette) to his everlasting credit, backed up the Prime Minister.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: But what about the leaders of the other two parties? Mr. Speaker, they waffled, like the waffle group of the New Democratic Party. They tried to play politics in Canada's hour of danger.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: They were willing to gamble with Canada's freedom because they did not like the fact some people were put in jail for a few days. Mr. Speaker, during the past two world wars thousands of Canadians died to help keep Canada free and we are not prepared to gamble with this freedom for the sake of political expediency. Mr. COMMONS DEBATES
Fejar u ary_ 17_,_1972
Speech from the Throne
Speaker, I ask you in all seriousness, if Canada faced an hour of crisis in the future who would you rather have at the head of this nation, the leaders of either of the two opposition parties or the leader of the present government?


An hon. Member:: Don't answer that; you may incriminate yourself.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: I leave it to the people of this nation to decide. Mr. Speaker, ever since the present Prime Minister took office he has been opposed at every turn by the opposition.


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: These advocates of gloom and doom have told us that Canada is in terrible shape; in fact, in the worst shape in history. They emphasize, without exception, our problems and never once talk of the many good things taking place in our nation. I ask them now, Mr. Speaker, where would they rather live? Would it be in once mighty England, in Ireland or in Pakistan? To be fair, would it be in the United States where over one and one-half million people are on welfare in New York City alone right at this very minute.


An hon. Member:: We are catching up fast.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Would it be in the United States whose citizens tried to burn down the great city of Detroit only a couple of years ago and in whose metropolitan centres it is not safe to go out at night? Once again, would it be in the United States which is saddled with a racial problem that is terrible to contemplate, as well as a war that all its citizens wish to get out of. No, Mr. Speaker, when the chips are down, all Canadians would want to remain in Canada.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Indeed, if circumstances would allow it, one half of the world would like to move here. While appreciating the difficulties that this country faces with the unemployed, and while admitting that we have many imperfections, although not as many as other countries have, let me point out the following fact. No one who is working in Canada today, whether he be an electrician or a plumber, a teacher or a nurse-


An hon. Member:: Or Pierre Vallieres.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: -a doctor or a lawyer, a politician or a secretary, ever had it so good.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Our greatest problem is to get coloured television sets instead of black and white and to have two or three cars in every family instead of one.
Last autumn, the Calgary Stampeders came back to Calgary after winning the Grey Cup in Vancouver. Thousands of fans greeted them, shouting, "We are number one." Last spring, the Montreal Canadiennes returned to Montreal to be greeted by thousands of Montrealers shouting the same thing. It is high time, Mr. Speaker, that 22 Canadians stood on their feet and shouted, "We are number one."


An hon. Member:: Twenty-two?


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Anyone can make the odd mistake. Because you see, Mr. Speaker, we are number one. I defy the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the New Democratic Party to say otherwise. If we are, Mr. Speaker, surely, the captain of this great ship, the Prime Minister of Canada, deserves some recognition.


An hon. Member:: There are too many leaks in that captain's ship.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: I hear all that, Mr. Speaker, and it reminds me of the story of the surgeon who was performing a brain transplant. He said that it cost $100 for an ounce of Liberal brains, $150 for Tories and $1,000 for NDP. The poor fellow asked why it cost $1,000 for NDP brains and the surgeon replied, "It takes a hell of a lot of NDPs before you can find an ounce of brains."


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: I guess we are getting into the meat now and if you fellows want to open up, I will too.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Mr. Speaker, if the Prime Minister has to be criticized for his sins, and no man is without them,-


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


Some hon. Members:: Shame!


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: -then he should get credit for being the leader of this great country, the greatest place in the world in which to live in this year, 1972.
Mr. Speaker, in a few days, the President of the United States will be visiting the great People's Republic of China. Without fear of contradiction, I tell you that it was the Prime Minister of Canada who really initiated this trip, which means so much to the peace of this world. Without fear of contradiction, I say to you that it was because of Canada's efforts in bringing about the recognition of Red China at the United Nations, it was because of Canada's action in recognizing that country through the exchange of diplomats that got the United States and China talking to each other again. And it will be because of the Prime Minister's efforts in initiating friendly gestures to such great countries as the U.S.S.R. and China that will enable our business community and our agricultural people to initiate trade with the huge numbers of people in those countries, so vast in number, that they are almost beyond comprehension.


Mr. Paproski:: Let's see you walk on the water, Pierre.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: Mr. Speaker, if we want peace in this world, we have to talk to everybody and if we want to do business with them, we have to learn to talk too.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker-


An hon. Member:: Oh, don't stop.


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: -let me say this. I am sure that the Russians and the Chinese and the French and the English are
[Mr. Whicher.)

proud of their countries. I am equally sure that the Americans are proud of theirs. How much prouder should we be of this great country of ours, stretching from Newfoundland to British Columbia, which, while it may have many imperfections, has not as many as other countries in the world. Let us be proud of our forests and our mines. Let us be proud of our great wheat fields and modern cities. And even more than that, Mr. Speaker, let us be proud of our way of life. During the past year, stories have been circulated about an election that must be called according to our constitution in the foreseeable future. To the Prime Minister of Canada, I say this: Call it any time you want.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: The results, as far as I am concerned, are a foregone conclusion. When the chips are down, the people of Canada will appreciate the good life that this government is allowing them to live.


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh!


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Ross Mackenzie Whicher: They will appreciate that Canada is certainly not a heaven; but it is the next thing to it on this whole earth. While I appreciate the fact that you will want to fight an election on the future of Canada, may I suggest that your government has, nothing to be ashamed of in either the past or the present. Like the Stampeders and the Canadiens, our Nancy Greenes and our Bobby Orrs, we are number one.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. member for Trois-Rivieres (Mr. Lajoie):
That an Address the text of which follows, be presented to His Excellency the Governor General of Canada:
To His Excellency the Right Hon. Roland Michener, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, upon whom has been conferred the Canadian Forces' Decoration, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
May it please Your Excellency: We, Her Majesty's most loyal and dutiful 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.


Mr. Claude G. Lajoie (Trois-Rivieres):: Mr. Speaker, it was Benjamin Disraeli who once said, "I feel a very unusual sensation. If it is not an indigestion, I think it must be gratitude."

For a new member of the House a maiden speech is of special importance. I am deeply grateful for the honour bestowed upon me today of seconding the Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne moved by my colleague, and I thank the right hon. Prime Minister (Mr. Trudeau) for this honour which is reflected on my family and the whole constituency of Trois-Rivieres.
I should like to pay a tribute to the people who elected me almost a year ago. I entered politics somewhat in spite of myself and had it not been for my admiration for the right hon. Prime Minister, I might not have come to it. His energy, wisdom and courage have won him the admiration of all, who see him as a distinguished leader. I am a proud member of his party. He has been at all times the
Speech from the Throne
champion of Canadian unity, which is the key to our survival.

I have also promoted Canadian unity, and in this respect I have something in common with the Prime Minister (Mr. Trudeau)-but I did it 23 years before he did. My wife is also from Vancouver.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Claude G. Lajoie: The eight children in my family have learned both languages. Although my wife comes from God's country, she is perfectly at home in Trois-Rivieres.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!


Claude G. Lajoie: The constituency I have the honour to represent in this House was named by Jacques Cartier, the navigator who sailed up the St. Lawrence in 1535. However, there are only two rivers in our area, but the islands of la Potherie and Saint-Quentin, at the junction with the St. Lawrence and the St. Maurice Rivers, give the impression of three rivers. It is one of the occurrences in our regional history which one likes to mention.
The city of Trois-Rivieres-the second in Canada-was founded in 1634, by the sieur de Laviolette. It was, at the outset, a starting point for the coureurs de bois like Radis-son, whose legend still lives on. The first heavy industry in Canada was established there in 1729, under the name of Les Vieilles Forges, which were still in existence 154 years later, in 1883. As a matter of fact, the federal government has offered a million dollars to the Quebec government for their restoration.
Given its geographical situation, the city of Trois-Rivieres was destined to become the capital of the pulp and paper industry. My constituency now includes three important cities, Trois-Rivieres, Cap-de-la-Madeleine and Trois-Rivieres-Ouest, comprising more than 100,000 people. Seventy five per cent of our population is made up of workers. I am myself a worker and I am proud of it. I built my first house myself and although I do not use the hammer anymore, I can still oversee a group of workers.
My constituency, an important industrial centre, includes 19 firms, with more than 200 employees each, and more than 100 other industries employing more than
3.000	people. Personal income in the three cities mentioned earlier amounts to $208.5 million and retail sales total $115.6 million. Our harbour ranks sixth in Canada. It is open the year round. Its mooring front runs almost
10.000	feet and last year it accommodated 1,194 ships, including 370 liners and 824 coasters. During 1970, 5,364,914 pounds of goods were handled there. Piers and sheds are linked by a five-mile railroad.
Last summer I had the honour of being a member of the delegation from Cap-de-la-Madeleine which went to Chateaudun, in France, to celebrate the establishment of those twin cities. The city of Cap-de-la-Madeleine gets its name from Jacques de Laferte, vicar of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in Chateaudun, who was the first owner of the land on which the city was built. The granting of the status of town in 1918, and that of city in 1922, was the starting point of an era of development which has been going on ever since. The population of Cap-de-la-Madeleine is now 32,000.

February 17, 1972
Speech from the Throne
Trois-Rivieres-Ouest, with a population of 8,000, is a young dynamic town which has only been in existence for eight years. From a suburb, it has turned into an active town where housing construction is developing constantly.
The three cities of Trois-Rivieres, Cap-de-la-Madeleine, and Trois-Rivieres-Ouest constitute in effect a metropolitan area which in turn contains the riding.
I am pleased to give credit here to the three mayors who govern the fates of those cities in a dynamic way and with a spirit of co-operation, in the best interest of the metropolitan area in general.

In the few months I have spent in this House, I have learned a great deal about my colleagues, those who face me as well as those who sit on this side. They are a living example and a true picture of Canadians working for the betterment of all Canadians from all parts of the country. Indeed, debates can be heated at times and tempers can flare, but this is Parliament at work.
Through the policy set forth this morning, the government intends first of all to take steps to stimulate our economy. Those measures will promote trade exchanges and facilitate the financing of Canadian exporters. The maintenance of consumer price stability is also provided for, while increased assistance to secondary industries will enable them to develop further. Those measures will stimulate the economy in general and be of benefit to industry and labour alike.
The House will also be asked to deal with a measure to increase the number of jobs through better use of the competence and initiative of those who are looking for work. A new labour code will also be studied, which will take into account the many representations received in the last few months.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased with the proposed legislation and without commenting them all, I believe I can say that they augur well.
The member has a varied role. Not only is he a link between his constituents as well as their spokesman in Ottawa, but he also acts as a legislator who considers bills and discusses them in the committees or in the House. On occasion, he will serve as a delegate at international organizations such as the UN and NATO. The image of the member is often warped. He is too often put on a pedestal; he becomes an almost unapproachable character who lives off the fat of the land in the capital. Parliamentary proceedings keep him in Ottawa five days weekly and the problems of his constituents often compel him to work on Saturdays and Sundays. It is just the same
an engrossing work and the member derives his greatest satisfaction from the knowledge that he has been of some assistance to an individual and has supported a bill which will benefit all Canadians.
I would feel remiss if I did not at least briefly point out the achievements of the government during the past three years. In all fields, amendments have been made to existing legislation, or new laws have replaced those which had become obsolete. All levels of society have benefited from this government policy.
In the field of social policy, we have had amendments to the Old Age Security Act and an increase of veterans pensions. As regards the protection of the citizen and his rights, we have looked after the consumer's protection through measures such as the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and the Weights and Measures Act.
In the field of labour, the new Unemployment Insurance Act provides for increased benefits for thousands of beneficiaries. The same holds true as regards economic expansion. More recently, we have had the establishment of the Department of Environment and the arctic waters pollution legislation.
And I did not mention such programs as Opportunities for Youth or Local Initiatives, which have benefited thousands of Canadians in all walks of life.
Before closing, I should like to say how happy I am to learn that the government will be creating three national parks in the Canadian north. Now, each of Canada's provinces and territories will be represented in our national park system. Our fellow citizens of the St. Maurice Valley are very happy to have obtained one of Quebec's first two parks, and the consequences are already being felt. In addition to creating hundreds of direct jobs, this project has led to the implementation of the Trans-Quebec Highway between Trois-Rivieres and the national park, through a $4 million-dollar contribution by the Department of Regional Economic Expansion.
The St. Maurice Valley National Park will mark the beginning of the new touristic calling of our area, owing to the very rich history of Trois-Rivieres and of its gallant pioneers.
At the outset, I mentioned the aggressiveness, the wisdom and the courage of the Prime Minister. Indeed these qualities were essential for him to initiate the program which he has carried out and the one which will be introduced to the House in the months to come.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the motion proposed by my colleague, the hon. member for Bruce (Mr. Whicher).

On motion of Mr. Stanfield, the debate was adjourned.
On motion of Mr. MacEachen, the House adjourned at 3.09 p.m.

Friday. February 18, 1972