Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am pleased to inform you and the Members of this House, that I have today conveyed the report of the Mine Occupational Health and Safety Board on Bill 5, Mine Health and Safety Act, to the honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan, in his capacity as chairperson of the Standing Committee on Legislation.

Members of this House will know that the Standing Committee on Legislation held hearings on Bill 5 and at the conclusion of those hearings, recommended that I immediately convene the Mine Occupational Health and Safety Board to review Bill 5 and the transcripts of the public hearings. And further, that I provide the standing committee with the report of the Mine Occupational Health and Safety Board by October 10, 1994.

Madam Speaker, on receipt of the standing committee's recommendation, I immediately appointed four new members to the Mine Occupational Health and Safety Board. Those members are Mr. Andrew King, representing workers from the national office of the United Steelworkers of America; Mr. Lance Flewellyn, represent management from Royal Oak Mines; and, two members knowledgeable in mining, Mr. Peter Sangris, a miner resident in Dettah and Mr. Jim Marshall from Strathcona Mineral Services Ltd., Nanisivik Mines. The chairman, pursuant to the provisions of the Mining Safety Act is the chief inspector of mine safety, Mr. Dave Turner.

I am delighted to report that the Mine Occupational Health and Safety Board immediately met, and the resulting report on Bill 5 is unanimous in recommending the bill, with a few minor amendments, which I strongly support.

With your indulgence, Madam Speaker, and honourable Members, I wish to give full credit to Mr. Gargan and the Members of the standing committee and its staff, for the remarkable care and attention they demonstrated in their review of Bill 5. They provided me with wise counsel and this has resulted, I believe, in the fine quality of legislation which will, I hope, shortly come before this House for your consideration. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause