The Clerk informed the House of the unavoidable absence of the Speaker.

Thereupon, Mr. McClelland (Edmonton Southwest), Deputy Chairman of Committees of the Whole, took the Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 8.

PRAYERS

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights of Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Interpretation Act (powers to arrest and enter dwellings).

Mr. Collenette (Minister of Transport) for Ms. McLellan (Minister of Justice), seconded by Mr. Vanclief (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food), moved, -- That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Debate arose thereon.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

ORAL QUESTIONS

Pursuant to Standing Order 30(5), the House proceeded to Oral Questions.

TABLING OF DOCUMENTS

By unanimous consent, Mrs. Tremblay (Rimouski -- Mitis) laid upon the Table, -- Letter addressed to the Minister of Human Resources Development regarding the Black Lake British Canadian Mine employees (French text only). -- Sessional Paper No. 8530-361-5.

DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS

Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Hanger (Calgary Northeast), seconded by Mr. Ramsay (Crowfoot), Bill C-269, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (no parole when imprisoned for life), was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. McLellan (Minister of Justice), seconded by Mr. Vanclief (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food), -- That Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Interpretation Act (powers to arrest and enter dwellings), be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

The debate continued.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Accordingly, the Bill was read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

At 1:25 p.m., by unanimous consent, the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights of Bill C-217, An Act to amend the Access to Information Act (disclosure of results of public opinion polls).

Mr. Mills (Red Deer), seconded by Mr. Gilmour (Nanaimo -- Alberni), moved, -- That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 96(1), the Order was dropped from the Order Paper.

RETURNS AND REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(1), papers deposited with the Clerk of the House were laid upon the Table as follows:

-- by Mr. Goodale (Minister of Natural Resources) -- Report on the State of Canada's Forests for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Department of Natural Resources Act, S. C. 1994, c. 41, sbs. 7(2). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-461. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations)

-- by Mr. Scott (Solicitor General of Canada) -- Agreement made on March 21, 1997, between Canada, Saskatchewan, and the Shoal Lake Cree Nation for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police First Nations Community Policing Service, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R. S. 1985, c. R- 10, sbs. 20(5). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-475. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Scott (Solicitor General of Canada) -- Agreement made on April 1, 1997, between Canada, Nova Scotia, and the Wagmatcook First Nation for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police First Nations Community Policing Service, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R. S. 1985, c. R- 10, sbs. 20(5). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-475A. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Scott (Solicitor General of Canada) -- Agreement made on April 1, 1997, between Canada, Nova Scotia, and the Pictou Landing First Nation for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police First Nations Community Policing Service, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R. S. 1985, c. R- 10, sbs. 20(5). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-475B. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Scott (Solicitor General of Canada) -- Agreement made on September 5, 1997, between Canada, New Brunswick, and the Indian Island First Nation for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police First Nations Community Policing Service, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R. S. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361- 475C. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Scott (Solicitor General of Canada) -- Agreement made on September 5, 1997, between Canada, New Brunswick, and the Buctouche First Nation for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police First Nations Community Policing Service, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R. S. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361- 475D. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Scott (Solicitor General of Canada) -- Agreement made on April 14, 1997, between Canada, Prince Edward Island, and the Lennox Island First Nation for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police First Nations Community Policing Service, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R. S. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560- 361-475E. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Scott (Solicitor General of Canada) -- Agreement made on January 13, 1997, between Canada, Saskatchewan, and the Onion Lake First Nation for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police First Nations Community Policing Service, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R. S. 1985, c. R- 10, sbs. 20(5). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-475F. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Scott (Solicitor General of Canada) -- Agreement made on March 21, 1997, between Canada, Saskatchewan, and the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police First Nations Community Policing Service, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R. S. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361- 475G. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

-- by Mr. Scott (Solicitor General of Canada) -- Agreement made on January 13, 1997, between Canada, Saskatchewan, and the Red Earth First Nation for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police First Nations Community Policing Service, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R. S. 1985, c. R- 10, sbs. 20(5). -- Sessional Paper No. 8560-361-475H. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

ADJOURNMENT

At 2:10 p.m., the Acting Speaker adjourned the House until Monday at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).