Document Information

Date: 1905-02-23
By: Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Canada, Senate Debates, 10th Parl, 1st Sess, 1905 at 64-65.
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64

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PRINTING OF NORTHWEST PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY BILLS.

Hon. Mr. BERNIER—I beg to call attention to the fact that the Bills respecting the creation of the new provinces have not been submitted to us yet, although the newspapers pretend to publish them. I request the hon. Secretary of State to have them distributed as soon as possible.

Hon. Mr. SCOTT—They are not printed yet. Only certain paragraphs have really been printed. It was late yesterday when many important paragraphs were finally settled, and therefore it was quite impossible to present it to-day. I hope that by to-morrow it will be printed.

65

Hon. Mr. LANDRY—I call the attention of the ministers to the fact that the members of this House should be served before the public. The Bill was printed in the public press and distributed to the public, and we have nothing of it yet.

Hon. Mr. SCOTT—I am not aware that it has gone to the public. I am not aware that it has been printed in the proper form. Certain paragraphs were finally agreed upon. Up to a day or two ago the gentlemen from the Northwest were discussing certain clauses of it.

Hon. Mr. LANDRY—It must be printed as it was presented to the House.

Hon. Mr. SCOTT—No, it was not. The observations of the premier were made on the motion for leave to introduce the Bill. The Bill really had not been printed. There was leave given to introduce the Bill.

Hon. Mr. LANDRY—I think the Bill was read the first time.

Hon. Mr. SCOTT—I am not aware of it.

Hon. Mr. LANDRY—The leave to introduce the Bill was given last week.

Hon. Mr. SCOTT—Well I have explained to the hon. gentleman. I have not seen a copy of it. I presume if it was printed I should know something about it.

Hon. Sir MACKENZIE BOWELL—From the explanation given by the hon. Secretary of State, the facts are probably that the Bill was discussed on the general principles, while the details were not yet decided. Is that the fact?

Hon. Mr. SCOTT—Yes. I think the Minister of Justice was engaged at it. He asked to be allowed to remain away from the House and his object was to try and complete it. I hope it will be ready in a day or two.

The Senate adjourned.