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43rd PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION

Journals

No. 17

Thursday, October 22, 2020

10:00 a.m.



Prayer
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. Duclos (President of the Treasury Board):

Message on Estimates
Her Excellency the Governor General transmits to the House of Commons the Supplementary Estimates (B) of sums required for the public service of Canada in the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2021, and in accordance with section 54 of the Constitution Act, 1867, recommends these estimates to the House of Commons.

Mr. Duclos (President of the Treasury Board) laid upon the table, — Document entitled "Supplementary Estimates (B), 2020-21" (USB key included). — Sessional Paper No. 8520-432-02.

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(5), the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, were deemed referred to the several standing committees of the House as follows:

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

Offices of the Information and Privacy Commissioners of Canada, Vote 1b

(2) To the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food

Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Votes 1b and 10b

(3) To the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Vote 1b

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Vote 1b

Department of Canadian Heritage, Votes 1b and 5b

Library and Archives of Canada, Vote 5b

(4) To the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

Department of Citizenship and Immigration, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b

Immigration and Refugee Board, Vote 1b

(5) To the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

Department of the Environment, Votes 1b and 10b

Parks Canada Agency, Vote 1b

(6) To the Standing Committee on Finance

Canada Revenue Agency, Vote 1b

Department of Finance, Vote 1b

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, Vote 1b

(7) To the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b

(8) To the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development

Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Votes 1b, 10b, 20b and L25b

International Joint Commission (Canadian Section), Vote 1b

(9) To the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates

Department of Public Works and Government Services, Vote 1b

Privy Council Office, Vote 1b

Shared Services Canada, Votes 1b and 5b

Treasury Board Secretariat, Votes 1b, 10b, 15b and 20b

(10) To the Standing Committee on Health

Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Votes 1b and 5b

Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Votes 1b and 5b

Department of Health, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b

Public Health Agency of Canada, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b

(11) To the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Vote 1b

Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization, Vote 1b

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, Vote 1b

Department of Employment and Social Development, Votes 1b and 5b

(12) To the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs

Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b

Department of Indigenous Services, Votes 1b and 10b

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

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Votes 1b and 5b

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Votes 1b and 5b

Canadian Space Agency, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b

Department of Industry, Votes 1b and 10b

Department of Western Economic Diversification, Votes 1b and 5b

Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Vote 5b

Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Votes 1b and 5b

National Research Council of Canada, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Vote 5b

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Vote 5b

(14) To the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Canadian Human Rights Commission, Vote 1b

Courts Administration Service, Vote 1b

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Vote 1b

Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada, Vote 1b

(15) To the Standing Committee on National Defence

Communications Security Establishment, Vote 1b

Department of National Defence, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b

(16) To the Standing Committee on Natural Resources

Canadian Energy Regulator, Vote 1b

Department of Natural Resources, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b

(17) To the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

House of Commons, Vote 1b

Leaders' Debates Commission, Vote 1b

(18) To the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security

Canada Border Services Agency, Votes 1b and 5b

Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Vote 1b

Correctional Service of Canada, Vote 1b

Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Votes 1b and 5b

Parole Board of Canada, Vote 1b

Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Votes 1b and 5b

Royal Canadian Mounted Police External Review Committee, Vote 1b

(19) To the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, Vote 1b

Canadian Transportation Agency, Vote 1b

Department of Transport, Votes 1b, 5b, 10b, 15b and 20b

Marine Atlantic Inc., Vote 1b

Office of Infrastructure of Canada, Votes 1b and 10b

The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited, Vote 1b

VIA Rail Canada Inc., Vote 1b

(20) To the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs

Department of Veterans Affairs, Votes 1b and 5b


Introduction of Government Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Mendicino (Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship), seconded by Mr. Blair (Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness), Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's call to action number 94), was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.


Presenting Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), Mr. Drouin (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell) presented the report of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, Bureau Meeting of the APF, Dakar, Senegal, from January 28 to 30, 2020. — Sessional Paper No. 8565-432-52-01.


Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), Mr. Drouin (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell) presented the report of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, Bureau meeting and 45th Ordinary Session meeting, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from July 4 to 9, 2019. — Sessional Paper No. 8565-432-52-02.


Presenting Reports from Committees

Ms. Sahota (Brampton North), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the second report of the committee (items to remain votable). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-432-2.

Pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(2), the report was deemed concurred in.


Presenting Petitions

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

— by Mr. Bergeron (Montarville), one concerning foreign affairs (No. 432-00142);
— by Mrs. Wagantall (Yorkton—Melville), one concerning justice (No. 432-00143);
— by Mr. Longfield (Guelph), one concerning social affairs and equality (No. 432-00144);
— by Mr. Powlowski (Thunder Bay—Rainy River), one concerning human diseases (No. 432-00145).
Business of Supply

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

Ms. Rempel Garner (Calgary Nose Hill), seconded by Mr. O'Toole (Durham), moved, — That the Standing Committee on Health be instructed to undertake a study on the emergency situation facing Canadians in light of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that this study evaluate, review and examine any issues relevant to this situation, such as, but not limited to:

(a) rapid and at-home testing approvals and procurement process and schedule, and protocol for distribution;
(b) vaccine development and approvals process, procurement schedules, and protocol for distribution;
(c) federal public health guidelines and the data being used to inform them for greater clarity on efficacy;
(d) current long-term care facility COVID-19 protocols as they pertain solely to federal jurisdiction;
(e) the availability of therapeutics and treatment devices for Canadians diagnosed with COVID-19;
(f) the early warning system, Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN);
(g) the government’s progress in evaluating pre- and post-arrival rapid testing for travellers;
(h) the availability of paid sick leave for those in need, including quarantine and voluntary isolation;
(i) the adequacy of health transfer payments to the provinces, in light of the COVID-19 crisis;
(j) the impact of the government’s use of World Heath Organization (WHO) advice in early 2020 to delay the closure of borders and delay in the recommendation of wearing of masks on the spread of COVID-19 in Canada;
(k) the Public Health Agency of Canada’s communication strategy regarding COVID-19;
(l) the development, efficacy and use of data related to the government’s COVID Alert application;
(m) Canada’s level of preparedness to respond to another pandemic;
(n) the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Canada and a review of Canada’s emergency stockpile of PPE between 2015 and present;
(o) the government’s contact tracing protocol, including options considered, technology, timelines and resources;
(p) the government’s consideration of and decision not to invoke the federal Emergencies Act;

provided that,

(q) this study begin no later than seven days following the adoption of this motion;
(r) the committee present its findings to the House upon completion and, notwithstanding Standing Order 109, that the government provide a comprehensive response to these findings within 30 days;
(s) evidence and documentation received by the committee during its study of the Canadian response to the outbreak of the coronavirus, commenced during the first session of the 43rd Parliament, be taken into consideration by the committee in the current study;
(t) that each party represented on the committee be entitled to select one witness per one-hour witness panel, and two witnesses per two-hour witness panel;
(u) an order of the House do issue for all memoranda, emails, documents, notes or other records from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Privy Council Office, the office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the office of the Minister of Health, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, concerning options, plans and preparations for the GPHIN since January 1, 2018;
(v) an order of the House do issue for a record of all communications between the government and the WHO in respect of options, plans or preparations for any future operation, or absence thereof, of the GPHIN, since January 1, 2018;
(w) an order of the House do issue for all memoranda, emails, documents, notes and other records from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Privy Council Office, the office of the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, the office of the Minister of Health, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, concerning plans, preparations, approvals and purchasing of COVID-19 testing products including tests, reagents, swabs, laboratory equipment and other material related to tests and testing applications used in the diagnosis of COVID-19, since March 19, 2020;
(x) an order of the House do issue for all memoranda, emails, documents, notes and other records from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Privy Council Office, the office of the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, the office of the Minister of Health, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada concerning plans, preparations and purchasing of PPE, including gowns, gloves, masks, respirators, ventilators, visors and face shields, since March 19, 2020;
(y) an order of the House do issue for all memoranda, e-mails, documents, notes and other records relating to the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force and its subcommittees;
(z) an order of the House do issue for all memoranda, e-mails, documents, notes and other records relating to the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution and monitoring strategy, including, but not limited to anticipated timelines for the distribution of an approved COVID-19 vaccine across Canada and the prioritization of population groups for vaccination;
(aa) all documents issued pursuant to this order (i) be organized by department and be provided to the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel within 15 days of the adoption of this order, (ii) be vetted for matters of personal privacy information, and national security, and, with respect to paragraph (y) only, be additionally vetted for information the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to interfere with contractual or other negotiations between the Government of Canada and a third party, by the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel within seven days of the receipt of the documents, (iii) be laid upon the table by the Speaker, at the next earliest opportunity, once vetted, and permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Health; and
(bb) within seven days after all documents have been tabled pursuant to paragraph (aa), the Minister of Health, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry be ordered to appear separately as witnesses before the Standing Committee on Health, for at least three hours each.

Debate arose thereon.

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.

Business of Supply

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Rempel Garner (Calgary Nose Hill), seconded by Mr. O'Toole (Durham), in relation to the business of supply.

The debate continued.

Mrs. Block (Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek), seconded by Ms. Alleslev (Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill), moved the following amendment, — That the motion be amended by replacing paragraph (aa) with the following:

“(aa) minutes of meetings of the cabinet and its committees be excluded from this order and all documents issued pursuant to this order (i) be organized by department and be provided to the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel as soon as is practicable in light of the pandemic, but, in any event, not later than November 30, 2020, and, if this is not possible, the Clerk of the Privy Council may request an extension of no more than seven days, by writing a letter to the committee, (ii) be vetted for matters of personal privacy information and national security, and, with respect to paragraph (y) only, be additionally vetted for information the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to interfere with contractual or other negotiations between the Government of Canada and a third party, by the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel within seven days of the receipt of the documents, (iii) be laid upon the table by the Speaker, at the next earliest opportunity, once vetted, and permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Health; and”.

Debate arose thereon.

At 6:15 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 81(16), the Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

The question was put on the amendment and, pursuant to order made Wednesday, September 23, 2020, the recorded division was deferred until Monday, October 26, 2020, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

Returns and Reports Deposited with the Clerk of the House

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

— by Ms. Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance) — Extraordinary Borrowing Report to Parliament, dated October 22, 2020, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S., 1985, c. F-11, s. 49.1(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-432-1260-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Finance)

— by Mr. Lametti (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada) — Report on the activities of the Courts Administration Service for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, pursuant to the Courts Administration Service Act, S.C. 2002, c. 8, sbs. 12(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-432-872-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

Adjournment Proceedings

At 6:18 p.m., by unanimous consent and pursuant to Standing Order 38(1), 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 6:29 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).