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House of Commons, 23 April 1869, Canadian Confederation with Manitoba

57
Mr. Bowell would be happy to proceed at once if he thought he could have the assistance of the member for Chateauguay.
Hon. Mr. Holton would lend his assistance in going on, at all events.
Mr. Bowell said it was the practice of members to select their own time to proceed with their Bills, and he would do so. Others had already done so that day.
The matter then dropped.

QUEBEC P.O. BUILDINGS

Mr. Casault enquired whether it was the intention of the Government to cause to be erected at Quebec, the Post Office for which an appropriation was made by the Parliament of the former Province of Canada, and whether the same is still available for the construction of that building.
Sir John A. Macdonald replied that the vote of the late Parliament of Canada had fallen with the Parliament itself. As to the Post Office, the Government would see about it. (Laughter.)

NORTH-WEST TERRITORY

Mr. McConkey enquired whether, in view of the acquisition of the North-West territory it was the intention of the Government to ask for an appropriation to open a communication between Fort William and Fort Garry, and if so, when operations to that end would be commenced.
Sir John A. Macdonald said Parliament must first consent to the acquisition of that territory, before they could discuss any improvements.

AN ALLEGED DISMISSAL

Mr. Cameron (Inverness) moved an address for copies of the correspondence relative to the dismissal of Mr. Cameron, a Postmaster of River Inhabitants, in Nova Scotia.
Sir John A. Macdonald stated that Mr. Cameron was never dismissed. The Post Office had been removed to a more central place. However, all the papers would be brought down.
Mr. Cameron addressed the House explaining there had been a real grievance in the [...] 59 [...] which were really for the public interest to produce.
Mr. Mackenzie—Certainly.
Mr. Street differed with the member for Lambton in his statement, that the trustees were not exercising all the vigilance they could in respect to the realization of this property. It was property very difficult to realize, but both from personal knowledge and interviews with the administrators from time to time, he felt convinced that they were making every effort in their power to bring to a realization at as early a period as possible the property under their control. He believed it would be found on enquiry that they were exerting themselves by every means in their power to convert that property with a regard to the interest of the creditors, and to the advantage of the shareholders, and every other party having an interest in the winding up of this estate. His object in rising was simply to inform the mover of the resolution, that he had fallen into an error in thinking that the trustees did not exercise necessary vigilance and discretion.
Mr. Mackenzie said he did not question the vigilance or discretion of the trustees. He merely questioned the delay and expressed the opinion that the affairs of the Trust ought to be proceeded with more expeditiously.
The motion was carried.

THE FENIAN RAIDS

Mr. Galt postponed, till Monday next, his motion regarding the outlay incurred by Canada in defence of the frontier during the raids from the States in 1863 and 1864.

REVENUE FROM TOBACCO, &c.

Mr. Godin's address for a statement of revenue from tobacco, &c., was carried.

AMERICAN SILVER

Mr. Oliver's address regarding the exportation of American silver was also carried.

NORTH-WEST TERRITORY

Mr. Bodwell's address as to outlay in establishing communication between Fort William and Red River having been moved,
60 COMMONS DEBATES April 23, 1869
Hon. Mr. McDougall said, he supposed the hon. gentleman desired to get, at one view, the whole expenditure on that service. Papers containing this would be brought down shortly.
Mr. Mackenzie said, if there was any report from Mr. Dawson, regarding the exploration of the present read, perhaps it would be advisable to include it in the papers to be sent down.
Hon. Mr. McDougall said, Mr. Dawson was not strictly in the employ of the Government at present, but it was understood that he was preparing a report on the subject of his last exploration. Last year he had been asked to make a more thorough exploration of the country between Lake Superior and the Lake of the Woods, and he had done so, and had been very successful in finding a road much superior in every way to that formerly proposed. On this subject he would make a full and, it was to be hoped, a satisfactory report. All the papers connected therewith would be brought down.
In answer to Mr. Macfarlane,
Hon. Mr. McDougall said Mr. Dawson chiefly devoted his attention to the district between the head of Lake Superior and the Lake of the Woods.
The motion carried.
The House adjourned at 4:30 o'clock.

Source:

Canada. House of Commons Debates, 1869. Edited by P.B. Waite. Ottawa: Queen's Printer, 1975. Original scans accessible at: http://parl.canadiana.ca/.

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Selection of input documents and completion of metadata: Gordon Lyall.

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