The clerk informed the House of the unavoidable absence of the Speaker.

Whereupon, Mr. d'Entremont (West Nova), Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees of the Whole, took the chair, pursuant to subsection 43(1) of the Parliament of Canada Act.

The Deputy Speaker laid upon the table, — Case Report of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, pursuant to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, S.C. 2005, c. 46, sbs. 38(3.1) and (3.3). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-1060-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates)

The Deputy Speaker laid upon the table, — Reports of the Auditor General of Canada to the House of Commons (Spring 2024), pursuant to the Auditor General Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-17, sbs. 7(3). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-64-07. (Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts)

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Ms. Ng (Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development) laid upon the table, — Copy of Canada's Objectives for Negotiations for a Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement. — Sessional Paper No. 8532-441-50.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Duguid (Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water) laid upon the table, — Copy of the Amendments to Appendices I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, adopted at Panama City from November 14 to 25, 2022 and Amendments to Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, notified on November 16, 2020, March 24, 2021, March 15, 2022, March 24, 2022, October 13, 2022, November 3, 2022, November 25, 2022, February 3, 2023, and February 20, 2023, and Explanatory Memorandum. — Sessional Paper No. 8532-441-51.

Ms. Larouche (Shefford), from the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, presented the 15th report of the committee (Bill C-319, An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act (amount of full pension), without amendment). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-398.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 99 to 102) was tabled.

Mr. Arseneault (Madawaska—Restigouche), from the Standing Committee on Official Languages, presented the fourth report of the committee, "Briefing by the Minister of Canadian Heritage on her Mandate and Priorities". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-399.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 87) was tabled.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Shields (Bow River), seconded by Mr. Liepert (Calgary Signal Hill), Bill C-385, An Act to amend the Motor Vehicle Transport Act, was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Pursuant to Standing Order 36, petitions certified by the Clerk of Petitions were presented as follows:

— by Mr. Hanley (Yukon), one concerning justice (No. 441-02238);

— by Mr. Vis (Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon), one concerning transportation (No. 441-02239), one concerning the correctional system (No. 441-02240) and one concerning culture and heritage (No. 441-02241);

— by Mr. Chahal (Calgary Skyview), one concerning employment and labour (No. 441-02242);

— by Mr. Kram (Regina—Wascana), one concerning foreign affairs (No. 441-02243);

— by Ms. Dzerowicz (Davenport), one concerning culture and heritage (No. 441-02244);

— by Mrs. Block (Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek), one concerning taxation (No. 441-02245);

— by Mr. Lamoureux (Winnipeg North), one concerning transportation (No. 441-02246);

— by Mr. Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan), one concerning foreign affairs (No. 441-02247).

The order was read for the consideration of the business of supply.

Mr. Scheer (Regina—Qu'Appelle), seconded by Mr. Steinley (Regina—Lewvan), moved, — That, given that 70% of provinces and 70% of Canadians oppose the Prime Minister's 23% carbon tax hike on April 1, the House call on the NDP-Liberal coalition to immediately cancel this hike.

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, members made statements.

Pursuant to Standing Order 30(5), the House proceeded to Oral Questions.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Scheer (Regina—Qu'Appelle), seconded by Mr. Steinley (Regina—Lewvan), in relation to the business of supply.

The debate continued.

At 5:15 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 81(16), the Deputy Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Standing Order 45, the recorded division was deferred until Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

Mr. Boissonnault (Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages) gave notice of the intention to move a motion at the next sitting of the House, pursuant to Standing Order 78(3), for the purpose of allotting a specified number of days or hours for the consideration and disposal of the consideration of Senate amendments to Bill C-29, An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation.

At 5:43 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(7), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The order was read for the consideration at report stage of Bill C-293, An Act respecting pandemic prevention and preparedness, as deemed reported by the Standing Committee on Health without amendment.

Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(5), the Speaker selected for debate Motion No. 1.

Mr. Davies (Vancouver Kingsway), seconded by Ms. Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe), moved Motion No. 1, — That Bill C-293 be amended by deleting Clause 3.

Debate arose on Motion No. 1.

A message was received from the Senate as follows:

The House resumed consideration at report stage of Bill C-293, An Act respecting pandemic prevention and preparedness, as deemed reported by the Standing Committee on Health without amendment;

And of Motion No. 1.

The debate continued on Motion No. 1.

Pursuant to Standing Order 98(2), the order was dropped to the bottom of the order of precedence on the Order Paper.

At 6:44 p.m., pursuant to order made Monday, March 18, 2024, and Standing Order 53.1, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole for the consideration of the following motion, — That this committee pay tribute to the late Right Honourable Brian Mulroney. (Government Business No. 37)

At 10:15 p.m., the committee rose.

A message was received informing the Commons that on March 19, 2024, at 6:04 p.m., Her Excellency the Governor General signified royal assent by written declaration to the following bills:

A message was received from the Senate as follows:

— ORDERED: That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament has been authorized to examine and report upon the expenditures set out in Library of Parliament Vote 1 of the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(1), papers deposited with the Clerk of the House were laid upon the table as follows:

— by the Speaker — Costing note from the Parliamentary Budget Officer on doubling the rural top-up rate for fuel charge rebates – Update, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-1119-108. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Finance)

— by Ms. Bibeau (Minister of National Revenue) — Response of the government, pursuant to Standing Order 109, to the 11th report of the Standing Committee on International Trade, "The Underused Housing Tax: Potential impacts and proposed actions" (Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-343), presented to the House on Monday, November 20, 2023. — Sessional Paper No. 8512-441-343.

— by Ms. Ng (Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development) — Response of the government, pursuant to Standing Order 109, to the 12th report of the Standing Committee on International Trade, "Anti-dumping and countervailing duties being applied on certain Canadian softwood lumber products" (Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-344), presented to the House on Monday, November 20, 2023. — Sessional Paper No. 8512-441-344.

Pursuant to Standing Order 36, a petition certified by the Clerk of Petitions was filed as follows:

— by Mr. Webber (Calgary Confederation), one concerning the democratic process (No. 441-02248).

Accordingly, at 10:17 p.m., the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).