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39th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION

Journals No. 56 Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:00 a.m.

Prayers

Daily Routine Of Business

Tabling of Documents

Pursuant to Standing Order 79(3), the Speaker read the following Message from Her Excellency the Governor General, presented by Mr. Toews (President of the Treasury Board):

Message on Estimates

Her Excellency the Governor General hereby transmits to the House of Commons the Main Estimates of sums required to defray expenses of the public service of Canada in the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2009, and in accordance with section 54 of the Constitution Act, 1867, recommends those Estimates to the House of Commons.

Mr. Toews (President of the Treasury Board) laid upon the Table, — Document entitled "Main Estimates for the year 2008-2009". — Sessional Paper No. 8520-392-3.

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, were deemed referred to the several Standing Committees of the House as follows:

(1) to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, L30, L35, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60

(2) to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

Justice, Votes 40 and 45

Parliament, Votes 20 and 25

(3) to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food

Agriculture and Agri-Food, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40

(4) to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

Canadian Heritage, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 and 110

(5) to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

Citizenship and Immigration, Votes 1, 5 and 10

(6) to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

Environment, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30

(7) to the Standing Committee on Finance

Canada Revenue Agency, Vote 1

Finance, Votes 1, 5, L10, 20, 25 and 30

(8) to the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

Fisheries and Oceans, Votes 1, 5 and 10

(9) to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development

Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Votes 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, L30, 35 and 40

(10) to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates

Canadian Heritage, Votes 80, 85, 90 and 95

Governor General, Vote 1

Parliament, Vote 1

Privy Council, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 25

Public Works and Government Services, Votes 1 and 5

Treasury Board, Votes 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50

(11) to the Standing Committee on Health

Health, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45

(12) to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Human Resources and Skills Development, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25

(13) to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Votes 1, 5 and 10

Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Votes 1 and 5

Industry, Votes 1, 5, 10, L15, L20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90 and 95

Western Economic Diversification, Votes 1 and 5

(14) to the Standing Committee on International Trade

Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Votes 15 and 45

(15) to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Justice, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 50

(16) to the Standing Committee on National Defence

National Defence, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20

(17) to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources

Natural Resources, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30

(18) to the Standing Committee on Official Languages

Privy Council, Vote 20

(19) to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

Parliament, Votes 5 and 10

Privy Council, Vote 15

(20) to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Finance, Vote 15

(21) to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security

Privy Council, Vote 30

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70

(22) to the Standing Committee on Status of Women

Canadian Heritage, Votes 100 and 105

(23) to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

Transport, Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 and 75

(24) to the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs

Veterans Affairs, Votes 1, 5, 10 and 15

(25) to the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament

Parliament, Vote 15

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 responses, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), to the following petitions:

— Nos. 392-0239 and 392-0331 concerning health care services. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-392-22-03;

— No. 392-0360 concerning sentences in the Criminal Code. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-392-55-02.

Presenting Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), presented the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association respecting its participation at the meeting of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region, held in Reykjavik, Iceland, on June 1, 2007. — Sessional Paper No. 8565-392-51-04.

Presenting Reports from Committees

Mr. Schellenberger (Perth—Wellington), from the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, presented the Sixth Report of the Committee, "CBC/Radio-Canada: Defining Distinctiveness in the Changing Media Landscape". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-392-69.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee requested that the government table a comprehensive response.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 2 to 6, 8 to 11 and 13 to 17) was tabled.

Mr. Allison (Niagara West—Glanbrook), from the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, presented the Second Report of the Committee (extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 97.1, to consider Bill C-265, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (qualification for and entitlement to benefits)). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-392-70.

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

Pursuant to Standing Order 97.1(3), the motion to concur in the Report was deemed moved, the question deemed put and a recorded division was deemed requested and deferred until Wednesday, March 5, 2008, immediately before the time provided for Private Members' Business. (Concurrence in Committee Reports No. 9)

Mr. Merrifield (Yellowhead), from the Standing Committee on Finance, presented the Fourth Report of the Committee (Bill C-207, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (tax credit for new graduates working in designated regions), with amendments). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-392-71.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 26) was tabled.

Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Ms. McDonough (Halifax), seconded by Ms. Black (New Westminster—Coquitlam), Bill C-515, An Act to ensure annual reports to Parliament on Canadian peace initiatives, was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Presenting Petitions

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

— by , one concerning the situation in Israel (No. 392-0404);

— by , one concerning marriage (No. 392-0405) and one concerning the Criminal Code of Canada (No. 392-0406).

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 answer to question Q-180 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 return to the following question made into an Order for Return:

Q-167 — — For each of the years 1997 to 2007, how many dollars has the National Capital Commission spent purchasing poinsettias and other Christmas gifts for Members of Parliament, Senators, Ontario Members of the Provincial Parliament, Quebec Members of the National Assembly, elected municipal officials, and unelected officials broken down by category of recipient, and on shipping and delivering these gifts? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-392-167.

Government Orders

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Flaherty (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), — That this House approve in general the budgetary policy of the government; (Ways and Means No. 6)

And of the amendment of , seconded by , — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word “That” and substituting the following:

“this House recognizes that this Budget contains some initiatives that attempt to mirror sound and intelligent Liberal policy proposals, but regrets that the government has made significant economic policy mistakes over the past two years and shown an NDP-like lack of fiscal prudence that prevent it from dealing with a downturn in the Canadian economy.”;

And of the subamendment of , seconded by , — That the amendment be amended by deleting all the words after the word “contains” and substituting the following:

“initiatives that do not meet the expectations of Quebeckers who have asked that the current year’s surpluses be used to help workers and industries in the manufacturing and forestry sectors, which are facing a serious crisis in Quebec, to help seniors living below the poverty line and help individuals improve the energy efficiency of their homes, calls on the government to implement these measures before the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2008, and deplores that this Budget ignores the fiscal imbalance by not transferring $3.5 billion to Quebec and the provinces for post-secondary education and by not eliminating federal spending power.”.

The debate continued.

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.

Royal Assent

The Speaker informed the House that Her Excellency the Governor General will proceed to the Senate today at 3:30 p.m., for the purpose of giving the Royal Assent to certain Bills.

Government Orders

And of the amendment of Mr. McCallum (Markham—Unionville), seconded by Mr. Proulx (Hull—Aylmer);

And of the subamendment of Mr. Crête (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup), seconded by Mr. Gaudet (Montcalm).

The debate continued.

Messages from the Senate

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 Senate has passed Bill C-44, An Act to amend the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act, without amendment.

Government Orders

And of the amendment of Mr. McCallum (Markham—Unionville), seconded by Mr. Proulx (Hull—Aylmer);

And of the subamendment of Mr. Crête (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup), seconded by Mr. Gaudet (Montcalm).

The debate continued.

Royal Assent

A Message was received from Her Excellency the Governor General desiring the immediate attendance of the Commons in the Senate.

Accordingly, the Speaker, with the Commons proceeded to the Senate.

The Commons returned to the Chamber.

Whereupon, the Speaker reported that when the Commons had been in the Senate, Her Excellency the Governor General was pleased to give, in Her Majesty's name, the Royal Assent to the following Bills:

Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act (railway transportation) — Chapter No. 5;

Bill C-2, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts — Chapter No. 6;

Bill C-44, An Act to amend the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act — Chapter No. 7.

Government Orders

And of the amendment of Mr. McCallum (Markham—Unionville), seconded by Mr. Proulx (Hull—Aylmer);

And of the subamendment of Mr. Crête (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup), seconded by Mr. Gaudet (Montcalm).

The debate continued.

At 5:15 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 84(4), the Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

The question was put on the subamendment and it was negatived on the following division:
(Division No. 43 -- Vote n^o 43)
YEAS: 45, NAYS: 230
YEAS -- POUR André Asselin Bachand Barbot Bellavance Bigras Blais Bonsant Bouchard Bourgeois Brunelle Cardin Carrier Crête DeBellefeuille Demers Deschamps Duceppe Faille Freeman Gagnon Gaudet Gravel Guimond Kotto Laforest Laframboise Lavallée Lemay Lévesque Lussier Malo Ménard (Hochelaga) Ménard (Marc-Aurèle-Fortin) Mourani Nadeau Ouellet Paquette Perron Picard Plamondon Roy St-Cyr St-Hilaire Vincent Total: -- 45
NAYS -- CONTRE Abbott Ablonczy Albrecht Alghabra Allen Allison Ambrose Anders Anderson Angus Atamanenko Bagnell Bains Baird Barnes Batters Bélanger Bell (Vancouver Island North) Bell (North Vancouver) Bennett Benoit Bernier Bevilacqua Bevington Bezan Black Blackburn Blaney Boshcoff Boucher Breitkreuz Brison 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 Folco Fry Galipeau Gallant Godin Goldring Goodale Goodyear Gourde Grewal Guarnieri Guergis Hanger Harper Harris Hawn Hearn Hiebert Hill Hinton Holland Hubbard Ignatieff Jaffer Jean Kadis Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission) Karetak-Lindell Karygiannis Keddy (South Shore—St. Margaret's) Keeper Kenney (Calgary Southeast) Khan Komarnicki Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings) Lake Lauzon Layton Lebel LeBlanc Lee Lemieux Lukiwski Lunn 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 McGuinty McGuire McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood) McTeague 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 Paradis Patry Pearson Petit Poilievre Prentice Preston Priddy Proulx Rajotte Ratansi Redman Reid Richardson Ritz Rodriguez Rota Russell Savage Savoie Scarpaleggia Scheer Schellenberger Scott Shipley Siksay Silva Simard Simms Skelton Solberg Sorenson St. Amand St. Denis Stanton Stoffer Storseth Strahl Sweet Szabo Telegdi Temelkovski Thibault (West Nova) Thompson (New Brunswick Southwest) Thompson (Wild Rose) Tilson Toews Tonks Trost Turner Tweed Valley Van Kesteren Van Loan Vellacott Volpe Wallace Warawa Warkentin Wasylycia-Leis Watson Wilfert Williams Wrzesnewskyj Yelich Zed Total: -- 230
PAIRED -- PAIRÉS Guay Harvey Lalonde Lessard Pallister Smith Thi Lac Verner

Private Members' Business

At 5:50 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(7), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The House resumed consideration at report stage of Bill C-253, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deductibility of RESP contributions), as reported by the Standing Committee on Finance with amendments;

And of the motions in Group No. 1 (Motions Nos. 1 and 2).

Group No. 1

Motion No. 1 of Mr. McTeague (Pickering—Scarborough East), seconded by Mr. Malhi (Bramalea—Gore—Malton), — That Bill C-253, in Clause 2, be amended by deleting lines 10 to 24 on page 1.

Motion No. 2 of Mr. McTeague (Pickering—Scarborough East), seconded by Mr. Malhi (Bramalea—Gore—Malton), — That Bill C-253, in Clause 2, be amended by replacing lines 8 and 9 on page 2 with the following:

“(b) the RESP lifetime limit minus the total of all contributions made by the taxpayer into a registered education savings plan in previous taxation years.”

Amendment to Motion No. 2 of Mr. St-Cyr (Jeanne-Le Ber), seconded by Mr. André (Berthier—Maskinongé), — That Motion No. 2 be amended by adding after the word “years” the following:

“, to a maximum of $5,000”.

The debate continued on the motions in Group No. 1.

The question was put on Motion No. 1 and on the amendment to Motion No. 2 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(8), the recorded divisions were deferred.

Pursuant to Standing Order 98(4), the recorded divisions were further deferred until Wednesday, March 5, 2008, immediately before the time provided for Private Members' Business.

Messages from the Senate

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 the expenditures set out in Parliament Vote 15 of the Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009.

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 — Minutes of Proceedings of the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons for November 19 and 26, 2007, pursuant to Standing Order 148(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8527-392-05.

Adjournment Proceedings

At 6:25 p.m., by unanimous consent, the question “That this House do now adjourn” was deemed to have been proposed.

After debate, the question was deemed to have been adopted.

Accordingly, at 6:54 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).