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39th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION

Journals

No. 50

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

2:00 p.m.



Prayers
National Anthem
Statements By Members

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

Oral Questions

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

Daily Routine Of Business

Tabling of Documents
Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), the Speaker presented the report of a parliamentary delegation that travelled to Malaysia, from November 3 to 9, 2007. — Sessional Paper No. 8565-392-75-02.

The Speaker laid upon the Table, — Report of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada concerning the examination of RCMP exempt data banks, pursuant to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. P-21, ss. 39(1) and 40(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-392-997-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics)

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Lukiwski (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform) laid upon the Table, — Government response, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), to the following petition:

— No. 392-0296 concerning the income tax system. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-392-19-07.

Presenting Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations

Presenting Reports from Committees

Mr. Allison (Niagara West—Glanbrook), from the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, presented the First Report of the Committee (matter related to the forestry and manufacturing sectors). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-392-53.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 11) was tabled.


Mr. Goodyear (Cambridge), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the 11th Report of the Committee, which was as follows:

The Committee recommends, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, the following changes to the lists of members of the following standing committees:

Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

Michael Chong for Gord Brown

Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Gord Brown for Michael Chong

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 1) is tabled.


Ms. Ratansi (Don Valley East), from the Standing Committee on Status of Women, presented the Second Report of the Committee, "Women and the Court Challenges Program". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-392-54.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 7, 10 and 12 to 14) was tabled.


Ms. Ratansi (Don Valley East), from the Standing Committee on Status of Women, presented the Third Report of the Committee (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-392-55.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 14) was tabled.


Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Paquette (Joliette), seconded by Ms. Guay (Rivière-du-Nord), Bill C-505, An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec), was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.


Motions

By unanimous consent, it was resolved, — That the 11th Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented earlier today, be concurred in.


By unanimous consent, it was resolved, — That the House recognize and honour the great contribution to science and the fight against climate change by the Canadian scientists of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), who were awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.


By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, Bill C-42, An Act to amend the Museums Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, be deemed to have been read the second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole, deemed considered in Committee of the Whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at the report stage and deemed read the third time and passed.


Presenting Petitions

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

— by Mr. Watson (Essex), one concerning sex offenders (No. 392-0349) and one concerning the issuing of visas (No. 392-0350);
— by Mr. Easter (Malpeque), one concerning the Canada Post Corporation (No. 392-0351);
— by Mr. André (Berthier—Maskinongé), two concerning the protection of the environment (Nos. 392-0352 and 392-0353);
— by Ms. Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North), one concerning prosperity partnership (No. 392-0354);
— by Mr. Goodyear (Cambridge), one concerning Canada's railways (No. 392-0355);
— by Mrs. Mourani (Ahuntsic), one concerning the Criminal Code of Canada (No. 392-0356);
— by Ms. Savoie (Victoria), two concerning immigration (Nos. 392-0357 and 392-0358) and one concerning student loans (No. 392-0359);
— by Mr. Benoit (Vegreville—Wainwright), one concerning sentences in the Criminal Code (No. 392-0360);
— by Mrs. Freeman (Châteauguay—Saint-Constant), one concerning Afghanistan (No. 392-0361);
— by Mr. Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek), one concerning national parks (No. 392-0362);
— by Mr. Martin (Sault Ste. Marie), one concerning prosperity partnership (No. 392-0363).

Questions on the Order Paper

Mr. Lukiwski (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform) presented the answers to questions Q-165, Q-174, Q-178 and Q-179 on the Order Paper.


Pursuant to Standing Order 39(7), Mr. Lukiwski (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform) presented the returns to the following questions made into Orders for Return:

Q-166 — Ms. Charlton (Hamilton Mountain) — With respect to Disability applications under the Canada Pension Plan for the years 2004 to 2006, inclusive: (a) what was the total number of applications received by the end of each respective year; (b) what were the total numbers of both granted and denied benefits on initial application; (c) what was the total number of denied clients who requested a level 81 reconsideration; (d) what were the total numbers of both granted and denied applications at the reconsideration level; (e) what was the total number of clients who appealed to level 82 (Review Tribunal); (f) what was the number of clients who were granted a benefit prior to a hearing (Review Tribunal); and (g) what were the total numbers of granted and denied applications at the level 82 (review Tribunal)? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-392-166.

Q-176 — Mr. Dykstra (St. Catharines) — With respect to Canada's international development commitments, what is the estimated annual cost to increase Canada’s international aid expenditures by 10% instead of the 8% currently that is currently committed by the present government? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-392-176.

Q-177 — Mr. Dykstra (St. Catharines) — With regard to government initiatives affecting seniors, what is the estimated annual cost: (a) to end the 10 year residency requirement for Old Age Security; and (b) to expand the full benefits of the Veteran’s Independence Program to widows who currently do not qualify for the program? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-392-177.

Q-192 — Mr. Cuzner (Cape Breton—Canso) — With regard to the Small Craft Harbours program of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, what was the funding amount allocated, granted or contributed to each harbour in each federal electoral district within the province of Nova Scotia, in each of the years 2003 to 2007, inclusive? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-392-192.
Applications for Emergency Debate

Pursuant to Standing Order 52, Mr. Bellavance (Richmond—Arthabaska) asked leave to move the adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter requiring urgent consideration, namely, the livestock industry.

The Speaker decided that the matter was proper to be discussed and, pursuant to Standing Order 52(9), directed that it be considered later today, at the ordinary hour of daily adjournment.

Government Orders

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs of Bill C-22, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Democratic representation).

Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Mr. Nicholson (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada), moved, — That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

Debate arose thereon.

Motions

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, when the House begins proceedings under the provisions of Standing Order 52 later this day, no quorum calls, requests for unanimous consent or dilatory motions shall be received by the Speaker.

Government Orders

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Mr. Nicholson (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada), — That Bill C-22, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Democratic representation), be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

The debate continued.

Mr. Paquette (Joliette), seconded by Ms. Bourgeois (Terrebonne—Blainville), moved the following amendment, — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word "That" and substituting the following:

“this House decline to give second reading to Bill C-22, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Democratic representation), because the Bill would reduce the political weight of the Quebec nation in the House of Commons in an unacceptable manner and does not provide that 25 percent of the elected members of the House of Commons must come from Quebec.”.

Debate arose thereon.

Motions

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, Bill C-40, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code, the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, the Canada Student Loans Act and the Public Service Employment Act, be deemed to have been read the second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole, deemed considered in Committee of the Whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at the report stage and deemed read the third time and passed.

Government Orders

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Mr. Nicholson (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada), — That Bill C-22, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Democratic representation), be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs;

And of the amendment of Mr. Paquette (Joliette), seconded by Ms. Bourgeois (Terrebonne—Blainville), — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word "That" and substituting the following:
“this House decline to give second reading to Bill C-22, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Democratic representation), because the Bill would reduce the political weight of the Quebec nation in the House of Commons in an unacceptable manner and does not provide that 25 percent of the elected members of the House of Commons must come from Quebec.”.

The debate continued.

Deferred Recorded Divisions

Government Orders

Pursuant to Standing Order 45, the House proceeded to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Mr. Hearn (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans), — That Bill C-20, An Act to provide for consultations with electors on their preferences for appointments to the Senate, be referred forthwith to a legislative committee.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following division:

(Division No. 41 -- Vote no 41)
YEAS: 224, NAYS: 48

YEAS -- POUR

Abbott
Ablonczy
Albrecht
Alghabra
Allen
Allison
Ambrose
Anders
Anderson
Angus
Arthur
Atamanenko
Bagnell
Baird
Barnes
Batters
Beaumier
Bell (Vancouver Island North)
Bell (North Vancouver)
Bennett
Benoit
Bevilacqua
Bevington
Bezan
Black
Blackburn
Blaney
Bonin
Boshcoff
Boucher
Breitkreuz
Brison
Brown (Oakville)
Brown (Leeds—Grenville)
Brown (Barrie)
Bruinooge
Byrne
Calkins
Cannan (Kelowna—Lake Country)
Cannis
Cannon (Pontiac)
Carrie
Casson
Chan
Charlton
Chong
Chow
Christopherson
Clement
Coderre
Comartin
Comuzzi
Cotler
Crowder
Cullen (Skeena—Bulkley Valley)
Cullen (Etobicoke North)

Cummins
Cuzner
D'Amours
Davidson
Davies
Day
Del Mastro
Devolin
Dewar
Dhaliwal
Dhalla
Dion
Doyle
Dryden
Dykstra
Easter
Emerson
Epp
Eyking
Fast
Finley
Fitzpatrick
Flaherty
Fletcher
Fry
Galipeau
Gallant
Godfrey
Godin
Goldring
Goodyear
Gourde
Grewal
Guarnieri
Guergis
Harper
Harris
Harvey
Hawn
Hearn
Hiebert
Hill
Hinton
Holland
Hubbard
Ignatieff
Jaffer
Jean
Jennings
Julian
Kadis
Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission)
Karetak-Lindell
Keddy (South Shore—St. Margaret's)
Keeper
Kenney (Calgary Southeast)

Khan
Komarnicki
Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings)
Lake
Lauzon
Layton
Lebel
LeBlanc
Lee
Lemieux
Lukiwski
Lunney
MacAulay
MacKay (Central Nova)
MacKenzie
Malhi
Maloney
Manning
Mark
Marleau
Marston
Martin (Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca)
Martin (Winnipeg Centre)
Martin (Sault Ste. Marie)
Masse
Mathyssen
Matthews
Mayes
McCallum
McDonough
McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood)
Menzies
Merrifield
Miller
Mills
Minna
Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam)
Moore (Fundy Royal)
Mulcair
Murphy (Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe)
Murphy (Charlottetown)
Nash
Neville
Nicholson
Norlock
O'Connor
Obhrai
Oda
Pacetti
Patry
Pearson
Petit
Poilievre
Prentice
Preston
Proulx

Rajotte
Ratansi
Redman
Regan
Reid
Richardson
Ritz
Rodriguez
Rota
Savage
Savoie
Scarpaleggia
Scheer
Schellenberger
Scott
Sgro
Shipley
Siksay
Silva
Simard
Skelton
Smith
Solberg
Sorenson
St. Amand
Stanton
Steckle
Storseth
Strahl
Sweet
Szabo
Telegdi
Temelkovski
Thibault (West Nova)
Thompson (New Brunswick Southwest)
Thompson (Wild Rose)
Tilson
Toews
Tonks
Trost
Turner
Tweed
Van Kesteren
Van Loan
Vellacott
Verner
Wallace
Warawa
Warkentin
Wasylycia-Leis
Watson
Wilfert
Williams
Wrzesnewskyj
Yelich
Zed

Total: -- 224

NAYS -- CONTRE

André
Asselin
Bachand
Barbot
Bellavance
Bigras
Blais
Bonsant
Bouchard
Bourgeois
Brunelle
Cardin

Carrier
Crête
DeBellefeuille
Demers
Deschamps
Duceppe
Faille
Freeman
Gagnon
Gaudet
Gravel
Guay

Guimond
Kotto
Laforest
Laframboise
Lavallée
Lemay
Lessard
Lévesque
Lussier
Malo
Ménard (Hochelaga)
Ménard (Marc-Aurèle-Fortin)

Mourani
Nadeau
Ouellet
Paquette
Picard
Plamondon
Roy
St-Cyr
St-Hilaire
Thi Lac
Thibault (Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques)
Vincent

Total: -- 48

Accordingly, Bill C-20, An Act to provide for consultations with electors on their preferences for appointments to the Senate, was referred to a legislative committee.


Private Members' Business

Pursuant to Standing Order 93(1), the House proceeded to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of Mr. Godfrey (Don Valley West), seconded by Mr. Bagnell (Yukon), — That Bill C-474, An Act to require the development and implementation of a National Sustainable Development Strategy, the reporting of progress against a standard set of environmental indicators and the appointment of an independent Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development accountable to Parliament, and to adopt specific goals with respect to sustainable development in Canada, and to make consequential amendments to another Act, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following division:

(Division No. 42 -- Vote no 42)
YEAS: 267, NAYS: 1

YEAS -- POUR

Abbott
Ablonczy
Albrecht
Alghabra
Allen
Allison
Ambrose
Anders
Anderson
André
Angus
Arthur
Asselin
Atamanenko
Bachand
Bagnell
Baird
Barbot
Barnes
Batters
Beaumier
Bell (Vancouver Island North)
Bell (North Vancouver)
Bellavance
Bennett
Benoit
Bevilacqua
Bevington
Bezan
Bigras
Black
Blackburn
Blais
Blaney
Bonin
Bonsant
Boshcoff
Bouchard
Boucher
Bourgeois
Breitkreuz
Brison
Brown (Oakville)
Brown (Leeds—Grenville)
Brown (Barrie)
Bruinooge
Brunelle
Byrne
Calkins
Cannan (Kelowna—Lake Country)
Cannis
Cannon (Pontiac)
Cardin
Carrie
Carrier
Casson
Chan
Charlton
Chong
Chow
Christopherson
Clement
Coderre
Comartin
Comuzzi
Cotler
Crête

Crowder
Cullen (Skeena—Bulkley Valley)
Cullen (Etobicoke North)
Cummins
Cuzner
D'Amours
Davidson
Davies
Day
DeBellefeuille
Del Mastro
Demers
Deschamps
Devolin
Dewar
Dhaliwal
Dhalla
Doyle
Dryden
Duceppe
Dykstra
Easter
Emerson
Epp
Eyking
Faille
Fast
Finley
Fitzpatrick
Fletcher
Freeman
Fry
Gagnon
Galipeau
Gallant
Gaudet
Godfrey
Godin
Goldring
Goodyear
Gourde
Gravel
Grewal
Guarnieri
Guay
Guergis
Guimond
Harris
Harvey
Hawn
Hearn
Hiebert
Hill
Hinton
Holland
Hubbard
Ignatieff
Jaffer
Jean
Jennings
Julian
Kadis
Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission)
Karetak-Lindell
Keddy (South Shore—St. Margaret's)
Keeper
Kenney (Calgary Southeast)

Khan
Komarnicki
Kotto
Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings)
Laforest
Laframboise
Lake
Lauzon
Lavallée
Layton
Lebel
LeBlanc
Lee
Lemay
Lemieux
Lessard
Lévesque
Lukiwski
Lunney
Lussier
MacAulay
MacKay (Central Nova)
MacKenzie
Malhi
Malo
Maloney
Manning
Mark
Marleau
Marston
Martin (Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca)
Martin (Winnipeg Centre)
Martin (Sault Ste. Marie)
Masse
Mathyssen
Matthews
Mayes
McCallum
McDonough
McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood)
Ménard (Hochelaga)
Ménard (Marc-Aurèle-Fortin)
Menzies
Merrifield
Miller
Mills
Minna
Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam)
Moore (Fundy Royal)
Mourani
Mulcair
Murphy (Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe)
Murphy (Charlottetown)
Nadeau
Nash
Neville
Nicholson
Norlock
O'Connor
Obhrai
Oda
Ouellet
Pacetti
Paquette
Patry
Pearson
Petit

Picard
Plamondon
Poilievre
Prentice
Preston
Proulx
Rajotte
Ratansi
Redman
Regan
Reid
Richardson
Ritz
Rodriguez
Rota
Roy
Savage
Savoie
Scarpaleggia
Scheer
Schellenberger
Scott
Sgro
Shipley
Siksay
Silva
Simard
Skelton
Smith
Solberg
Sorenson
St-Cyr
St-Hilaire
St. Amand
Stanton
Steckle
Storseth
Strahl
Sweet
Szabo
Telegdi
Temelkovski
Thi Lac
Thibault (Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques)
Thibault (West Nova)
Thompson (New Brunswick Southwest)
Thompson (Wild Rose)
Tilson
Toews
Tonks
Turner
Van Kesteren
Van Loan
Vellacott
Verner
Vincent
Wallace
Warawa
Warkentin
Wasylycia-Leis
Watson
Wilfert
Williams
Wrzesnewskyj
Yelich
Zed

Total: -- 267

NAYS -- CONTRE

Trost

Total: -- 1

Accordingly, Bill C-474, An Act to require the development and implementation of a National Sustainable Development Strategy, the reporting of progress against a standard set of environmental indicators and the appointment of an independent Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development accountable to Parliament, and to adopt specific goals with respect to sustainable development in Canada, and to make consequential amendments to another Act, was read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

Private Members' Business

At 6:10 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(7), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. André (Berthier—Maskinongé), seconded by Mr. Lussier (Brossard—La Prairie), — That Bill C-469, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (use of phosphorus), be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

The debate continued.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Accordingly, Bill C-469, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (use of phosphorus), was read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

Emergency Debate

Pursuant to Standing Order 52(10), the House proceeded to the consideration of a motion to adjourn the House for the purpose of discussing an important matter requiring urgent consideration, namely, the livestock industry.

Mr. Bellavance (Richmond—Arthabaska), seconded by Mrs. Thi Lac (Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot), moved, — That this House do now adjourn.

Debate arose thereon.

At midnight, the Speaker declared the motion adopted.

Returns and Reports Deposited with the Clerk of the House

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(1), a paper deposited with the Clerk of the House was laid upon the Table as follows:

— by Mr. Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board) — Report of the Canadian Wheat Board, together with the Auditors' Report, for the crop year ended July 31, 2007, pursuant to the Canadian Wheat Board Act, R.S. 1985, c. C-24, sbs. 9(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-392-259-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food)

A paper deposited with the Clerk of the House was deemed laid upon the Table:
— by Mr. Lunn (Minister of Natural Resources) — Second 30-day report of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited tabled further to the consideration of Bill C-38, An Act to permit the resumption and continuation of the operation of the National Research Universal Reactor at Chalk River, in Committee of the Whole on December 11, 2007. — Sessional Paper No. 8525-392-17.
Adjournment

At midnight, the Speaker adjourned the House until later today, at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).