Mr. Speaker, could I respectfully seek consent to deal with Bill 3 on third reading today?

The Minister has requested consent to give third reading to Bill 3. Are there any nays? Proceed, Mr. Minister; you have consent.

Third Reading Of Bill 3: The Adoption Of The French Version Of Statutes And Statutory Instruments Act

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. I would therefore then move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Adoption of the French Version of Statutes and Statutory Instruments Act, be read for the third time. Thank you.

Your motion is in order. All those in favour of the motion? Opposed to the motion? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 3 has had third reading. Third reading of bills. Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to rise on a point of privilege.

Point of privilege, Mr. Nerysoo.

Point Of Privilege

Mr. Speaker, I do not usually rise on points of privileges, and many people here know how technical, or how I have gained knowledge of the rules, but Mr. Speaker, the point of privilege in many instances is a very serious matter. I want to raise a point of privilege about a remark that was made, maybe privately, but in jest and maybe in jest, but nonetheless, I think, has a bearing on my capacity as a Member. It was a remark that was uttered by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre to the honourable Member for Keewatin Central. Maybe I was not supposed to hear it, but the remarks were, "All the North American Indians are on a rampage." Mr. Speaker, that remark, in my opinion, causes me great concern. I am an Indian myself, and I think that I have to call into question whether or not I could rise in this House and deal with issues relating to my concerns with the knowledge that anyone could have that view. Maybe it is a misunderstanding and maybe I need clarification, but I think it is important that my misunderstandings and my ability to operate in this House without the knowledge that the underlying tones of such a remark would be made. I am basically trying to deal with it under 32(1).

Thank you. According to Rule 31(3) which states the Speaker may allow such debate as he thinks appropriate in order to satisfy himself -- Mr. Lewis, did you hear the point of privilege? Mr. Lewis, to the point of privilege.

You may, Mr. Lewis.

Mr. Speaker, I was in the process of responding to a request from a local newspaper to give my predictions for 1992 and although I take my work seriously, from time to time I do try to produce something which is of a light-hearted nature. I will explain exactly what the comment was that Mr. Nerysoo overheard while I was writing my predictions for 1992.

I did not use those words, Mr. Speaker, and in fact the reporter from the News North has the sheet of paper I put my predictions down on. What I said was, my prediction was, that in 1992 the restaurant which we call Aurorales will see a controversy at which native North American Indians will be involved, plus the Greenpeace group. That was my prediction. And what I said was that perhaps there would be a rampage through that restaurant as native North Americans will protest the fact that we are, in fact, trying to dignify this Seville exposition in a way that native North Americans would not approve of. It was that which Mr. Nerysoo had overhead. And if he had heard the whole thing, he would have approved my statement, because I know his feelings on that issue.

So if I created any kind of offence, I apologize, but what I was doing was echoing my colleague's sentiments about Seville and Expo, as I have heard them given to me in the past. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, if that were the case then certainly I have no continuing argument. I will not debate the issue. It is a matter that has been explained to me.

I appreciate you, Mr. Nerysoo. There is then no case of privilege before us. The matter is concluded.

Point of order.

Point of order, Mr. Patterson.

I wonder if I could seek the indulgence of the House to go back to tabling of documents.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to Item 11, tabling of documents.

Nay.

There seem to be nays, Mr. Patterson. Item 19, third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, Item 20, orders of the day.

Mr. Speaker, there will be a meeting of the special committee on constitutional reform immediately after adjournment. Meetings tomorrow morning: at 8:30 a.m., of the ordinary Members' caucus.

Orders of the day for Wednesday, December 18, 1991.

1. Prayer

2. Ministers' Statements

3. Members' Statements

4. Returns to Oral Questions

5. Oral Questions

6. Written Questions

7. Returns to Written Questions

8. Replies to Opening Address

9. Petitions

10. Reports of Standing and Special Committees

11. Tabling of Documents

12. Notices of Motions

13. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills

14. Motions: Motions 40-12(1) and 41-12(1)

15. First Reading of Bills

16. Second Reading of Bills

17. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters: Ministers' Statements 2-12(1) and 5-12(1); Tabled Document 3-12(1)

18. Report of Committee of the Whole

19. Third Reading of Bills: Bill 4

20. Orders of the Day

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 18, 1991.

---ADJOURNMENT