Mr. Speaker:

Order. I could not hear the question, but in any event I would inform the hon. member that if he has a question to ask he should ask it as briefly as possible.

Mr. Cruickshank:

Don't make a speech.

Mr. Thatcher:

I was not going to make a speech.

Mr. Cruickshank:

What are you doing now?

Mr. Thatcher:

Then I will put my question. Has the government given consideration to paying a share of relief costs as was done prior to the war?

Hon. Humphrey Mitchell (Minister of Labour):

The Department of Labour is watching the unemployment situation very carefully. Through reports from the national employment service and the unemployment insurance returns, a close check is kept on the employment situation in Canada. At the present time there is a very high level of employment. The last figure we have is for June 4, 1949, when there was a total of 5,121,000 in the labour force. On the same date in 1948 the figure was 5,030,000. This is the latest month for which we have comparative figures.

There is not as acute a demand in Canada this fall for some types of workers as there was last year, and there is an increase in the number of unplaced applicants. In September, 1948, the total number was 87,207, whereas on the same date in 1949 the total was 140,892. But the hon. member will agree, I am sure, that with a total working force of over five million the number of unplaced applicants, even at 140,892, is not high in a comparative sense.

Representations have been made by two of the larger cities, one in eastern Canada and one in the west. From an examination of the statements made, I know that the concern is not about the immediate expenditure on relief but about what certain individuals feared was going to happen. It is my opinion that we have very little to fear, and that we shall be able to maintain a high level of employment in Canada.

Mr. Thaicher:

Will the minister state

whether at the forthcoming dominion-provincial conference the matter of relief costs will be discussed with the provinces?

Mr. Speaker:

Order. I hardly think that is a question of urgency at the moment.

Mr. Cruickshank:

Are there any unemployed members of parliament from Moose Jaw? If not, why not?

Mr. LaCroix:

Mr. Chairman, I move that clause 1 of the bill be amended by the addition thereto at the end of section 4, substituted for the one that is now repealed, of the following words:

Provided that four of the puisne judges be chosen among the candidates proposed by the lieutenant governor in council, and that one of the four above-mentioned judges be chosen among the candidates proposed by the lieutenant governor in council of the province of Quebec, each province having to propose at least three candidates.

Of course this does not amend section 6, but merely section 4. I consider that under this amendment at least one of the judges provided for by section 6 will be chosen among those proposed by the government of the province of Quebec.

(Text):

The Chairman:

As I have no translation of the amendment, I will ask the Deputy Clerk to supply me with one, and I will read it.

Section stands.

On section 2-Appeals from final judgments.

The Chairman:

Shall section 2 carry?

Carried.

Mr. Fulton:

Mr. Chairman, did you call section 2?

The Chairman:

Yes.

It is carried.

Mr. Fulton:

We did not hear section 2 called.