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41st PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION

Journals

No. 59

Friday, March 7, 2014

10:00 a.m.



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

Whereupon, Mr. Stanton (Simcoe North), Assistant Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole, took the Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 8.

Prayers
Government Orders

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Valcourt (Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development), seconded by Ms. Finley (Minister of Public Works and Government Services), — That Bill C-25, An Act respecting the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Band Order, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

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.

Daily Routine Of Business

Tabling of Documents
Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. MacKay (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada) laid upon the Table, — Documents concerning Department of Justice Activities, Initiatives and Key Accomplishments. — Sessional Paper No. 8525-412-16.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Obhrai (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights) laid upon the Table, — Document entitled "Canada's Action Plan for the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, 2012-2013 Progress Report". — Sessional Paper No. 8525-412-17.

Presenting Reports from Committees

Mrs. Ambler (Mississauga South), from the Special Committee on Violence Against Indigenous Women, presented the First Report of the Committee, "Invisible Women: A Call to Action — A Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-412-52.

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. 1 to 8) was tabled.


Presenting Petitions

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

— by Mr. McGuinty (Ottawa South), one concerning the Canada Post Corporation (No. 412-1999), one concerning the mining industry (No. 412-2000) and one concerning the electoral system (No. 412-2001);
— by Ms. Papillon (Québec), two concerning national parks (Nos. 412-2002 and 412-2003);
— by Mr. Vellacott (Saskatoon—Wanuskewin), one concerning the Criminal Code of Canada (No. 412-2004);
— by Mr. Angus (Timmins—James Bay), one concerning national parks (No. 412-2005);
— by Mr. Garneau (Westmount—Ville-Marie), one concerning transportation (No. 412-2006) and one concerning the situation in Syria (No. 412-2007);
— by Mr. Rousseau (Compton—Stanstead), one concerning national parks (No. 412-2008);
— by Mr. Dewar (Ottawa Centre), one concerning national parks (No. 412-2009) and one concerning the situation in Syria (No. 412-2010);
— by Mr. Pilon (Laval—Les Îles), one concerning national parks (No. 412-2011);
— by Ms. Boutin-Sweet (Hochelaga), one concerning the mining industry (No. 412-2012);
— by Mr. Nunez-Melo (Laval), one concerning national parks (No. 412-2013);
— by Mr. Garrison (Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca), one concerning national parks (No. 412-2014);
— by Mr. Lamoureux (Winnipeg North), one concerning federal electoral districts (No. 412-2015);
— by Ms. Brosseau (Berthier—Maskinongé), two concerning national parks (Nos. 412-2016 and 412-2017);
— by Mr. Genest-Jourdain (Manicouagan), one concerning national parks (No. 412-2018);
— by Mr. Giguère (Marc-Aurèle-Fortin), one concerning national parks (No. 412-2019);
— by Mr. Aubin (Trois-Rivières), one concerning Old Age Security benefits (No. 412-2020) and one concerning the mining industry (No. 412-2021);
— by Ms. Turmel (Hull—Aylmer), one concerning national parks (No. 412-2022).

Questions on the Order Paper

Mr. Albas (Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board) presented the answers to questions Q-197, Q-214, Q-218, Q-250, Q-251, Q-271 and Q-277 on the Order Paper.


Pursuant to Standing Order 39(7), Mr. Albas (Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board) presented the returns to the following questions made into Orders for Return:

Q-179 — Mr. Simms (Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor) — With regard to employees and contractors of the government of Canada within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador: (a) how many such employees or contractors have there been in total per year since 2004, broken down by (i) riding (current boundaries), (ii) riding (proposed boundaries), (iii) full time, part time or occasional status, (iv) permanent, indeterminate, or temporary status, (v) total gross income for each response in (iii) and (iv), (vi) department, office, facility, or contract location; and (b) what are the projected responses for all clauses in (a) between now and 2019? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-179.

Q-199 — Ms. Duncan (Etobicoke North) — With regard to the development and operation of the Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Monitoring System (CMSMS) announced in March 2011: (a) what are the government's baseline assumptions for the CMSMS, (i) how many Canadians live with MS according to the government’s source, (ii) what is the government's source; (b) what have been the challenges in developing the system between March 2011 and today, (i) how has each challenge been overcome, (ii) what are the achievements to date, (iii) what milestones has the government planned between December 2013 and December 2015 and by what dates; (c) what is the cost of developing the system, broken down by costs to date; (d) how much money did the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) contribute to the development of the CMSMS, (i) were there any other partners involved in the development of the system, (ii) if so, who are they, (iii) what has each contributed; (e) who was involved in the design and development of the CMSMS, (i) from what departments/institutions were they, (ii) were potential conflicts of interest declared and, if so, how; (f) what health information does the CMSMS track, specifically, with regard to (i) chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), (ii) impacts of CCSVI treatment, including but not limited to use of the following scales, Expanded Disability Status Scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale, and Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Inventory, (iii) pharmaceutical treatments for MS, (vi) adverse drug reactions by MS drug; (g) who is/was overseeing pilot testing, (i) who is/was responsible for ensuring that patient information is/was protected, (ii) who is/was responsible for the integrity of the results; (h) were ethical reviews for pilot testing necessary and, if so, on what date did each pilot site pass ethical review; (i) when is pilot testing expected to/did it take place and at which MS clinics will/did testing occur; (j) on what date did recruitment of patients begin for each pilot site and what methods are/were used to recruit patients; (k) how many MS patients are/were recruited for each site and how is/was consistency ensured across sites; (l) what information are/were MS patients given about the pilot testing and how their information will be/was protected and used, (i) is/was participation voluntary, (ii) can/could patients pull out of the testing at any time, (iii) what health information is/was being tracked at each pilot site and at what time intervals, (iv) what health information is being/was tracked about CCSVI and impacts of CCSVI treatment, including but not limited to use of the following scales, Expanded Disability Status Scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale, and Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Inventory, (v) what health information is/was being tracked about pharmaceutical treatments for MS, (vi) what adverse drug reactions are/were being tracked by MS drug; (m) what is the relationship between the clinical trials and the CMSMS, (i) will data be transferred from one to the other and, if so, how will this happen, (ii) when will it begin, (iii) who will be responsible for the oversight; (n) what are the estimated operating costs annually for the CMSMS and at what sites is/will the CMSMS operating/operate; (o) how much money is/will the CIHR contributing/contribute to the operation of the CMSMS, (i) are/will there be any other partners in the operation of the CMSMS and, if so, (ii) who are they, (iii) what will they each contribute; and (p) how will the results of pilot testing be communicated to patients, the medical community and the general public and by what date is reporting expected to occur? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-199.

Q-210 — Mr. Cuzner (Cape Breton—Canso) — With regard to Employment Insurance (EI) Processing Centres and EI Call Centres: (a) what goal has been set with respect to percentage of EI applications processed through automation; (b) what is the time table for achieving this goal; (c) what was the percentage of automation achieved in EI processing, for the fiscal years 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 to date; (d) for EI processing centres, (i) what was the number and percentage of term employees and the number and percentage of indeterminate employees, for fiscal years 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 to date, (ii) what is the variance in total employees and in the percentage of term versus indeterminate employees from one year to the next, (iii) what is the planned number of employees for fiscal years 2014-2015, 2015-2016, (iv) what is the rationale for any reductions in employees; (e) what is the service standard for processing claims that take longer than 28 days to process; (f) what has been the annual result in achieving this standard for fiscal years 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 to date; (g) what are the reasons for not achieving the standard in the years requested, if applicable; (h) what is the EI call centre agent workday occupancy metric and what is the government's rationale for this measure; (i) what has been the EI call centre agent workday occupancy target and result, nationally and broken down by province, for fiscal years 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 to date; (j) for EI call centres, (i) what was the number and percentage of term employees and the number and percentage of indeterminate employees, for fiscal years 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 to date, (ii) what is the variance in total employees and percentage of term versus indeterminate employees from one year to the next, (iii) what is the planned number of employees for fiscal years 2014-2015, 2015-2016, (iv) what is the rationale for any reductions in employees; (k) how many EI claims were processed for fiscal years 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 to date; and (l) with respect to the program indicator (percentage of initial and renewal EI claims finalized within 21 days from date of filing and 21 days of registration of revised EI claims), what was the standard and results achieved for fiscal years 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 to date and why was the standard not achieved? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-210.

Q-225 — Mr. Bevington (Western Arctic) — With regard to the study and treatment of eating disorders: (a) how many major eating disorder studies have been funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) including treatment, prevention or epidemiology research; (b) how many CIHR peer review committees include members who have expertise in eating disorders; (c) are questions about eating disorders included in national databases; (d) what Health Canada eating disorder initiatives are in place; (e) what are the reasons for which Health Canada does not include low body mass index (BMI) as a separate category; (f) is the Public Health Agency of Canada tracking eating disorders in terms of prevalence, access to treatment and availability of services; (g) is Statistics Canada tracking eating disorders; (h) what are the rates of eating disorders among First Nations, on reserve and in the territories; (i) what barriers to care for Aboriginal Canadians have been identified; (j) have eating disorders been integrated into obesity prevention initiatives in Aboriginal communities; (k) are these initiatives gender and culturally sensitive; (l) in the case of obesity-related research or healthy weight initiatives conducted by the government, are there safeguards in place to ensure ‘no harm’; (m) has the government conducted any research studies examining the full spectrum of eating disorders, from those affecting people with low BMIs to those affecting people with high BMIs; (n) what research efforts by Canada are underway to address those refractory cases currently being treated in long term care mental health facilities; (o) what actions is the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) taking concerning eating disorders; (p) are eating disorders included in MHCC reports; (q) of the MHCC management (board, executive staff and directors) are there any persons with expertise in eating disorders; (r) has the MHCC developed guidelines for treatment and/or prevention of eating disorders and, if not, why not; (s) have Health Canada or other government agencies performed a review of funded eating disorder services and, if not, why not; (t) have Health Canada or other government agencies tracked co-morbid disorders such as eating disorders coupled with psychiatric illnesses; and (u) have Health Canada or other government agencies tracked eating disorders coupled with medical disorders? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-225.

Q-237 — Mr. Dion (Saint-Laurent—Cartierville) — With regard to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO): (a) what is the Department’s information management (IM) strategy; (b) on what date was the IM strategy established; (c) who participated in the development of the IM strategy; (d) which groups or organizations were consulted or gave input in developing the IM strategy; (e) which departments, agencies or offices were consulted or gave input in developing the IM strategy; (f) which individuals were consulted or gave input in developing the IM strategy; (g) what is the DFO Records Retention Plan; (h) on what date was the Records Retention Plan established; (i) who participated in the development of the Records Retention Plan; (j) which groups were consulted or gave input in developing the Records Retention Plan; (k) which departments, agencies and offices were consulted or gave input in developing the Records Retention Plan; (l) which individuals were consulted in developing the Records Retention Plan; and (m) what are the benchmarks for record retention? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-237.

Q-240 — Ms. Duncan (Etobicoke North) — With regard to proposals approved for funding by the former Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), for fiscal years 2010-2011, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, in an Excel spreadsheet, broken down by (i) the fiscal year when the project was approved, (ii) the title of the project, (iii) the amount that was approved, (iv) the date (year-month-day) that the proposal was received by CIDA in its final form, (v) the date (year-month-day) that an approval memo was first delivered to the Minister’s Office for consideration as indicated in CIDA's memo tracking system, (vi) the date (year-month-day) that the proposal received final approval, what were: (a) all the proposals approved for funding by the Multilateral Branch; (b) all the proposals approved for funding by the Geographic or Bilateral Branch; and (c) all the proposals approved for funding by the Partnership with Canadians Branch? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-240.

Q-261 — Ms. Foote (Random—Burin—St. George's) — With regard to the closure of the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre St. John’s (MRSC St. John’s), operated by the Canadian Coast Guard, in May, 2012, and its consolidation with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax (JRCC Halifax): (a) how many search-and-rescue (SAR) cases has the JRCC Halifax handled from 2006, through to the closure of the MRSC St. John’s, broken down by month and totaled by year; (b) how many SAR cases has the JRCC Halifax handled since the closure of the MRSC St. John’s which would have previously been handled by MRSC St. John’s, broken down by month and year; (c) what tactical measures were undertaken by the government to mitigate SAR service losses to areas formerly serviced by MRSC St. John’s; (d) were there additional employees hired at JRCC Halifax to deal with the increased workload from the closure of MRSC St. John’s and, if so, how many additional employees, broken down by full-time, part-time and contractual employment; and (e) what training, if any, was given to existing and new staff at JRCC Halifax specific to ensuring local knowledge of (i) the unique Newfoundland and Labrador dialects, (ii) geographic makeup of the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-261.
Government Orders

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Valcourt (Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development), seconded by Ms. Finley (Minister of Public Works and Government Services), — That Bill C-25, An Act respecting the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Band Order, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

The debate continued.

At 1:15 p.m., pursuant to Order made Thursday, March 6, 2014, under the provisions of Standing Order 78(3), the Acting Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

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

Accordingly, Bill C-25, An Act respecting the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Band Order, was read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

Private Members' Business

At 1:15 p.m., by unanimous consent, the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development of Bill C-565, An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park) and to make a related amendment to the Department of Canadian Heritage Act.

Ms. Turmel (Hull—Aylmer), seconded by Mr. Dewar (Ottawa Centre), moved, — That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 93(1), the Order was dropped to the bottom of the order of precedence on the Order Paper.

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 Mr. Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs) — Copy of the Regulations amending the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials (Tunisia and Egypt) Regulations (P.C. 2014-163), pursuant to the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, S.C. 2011, c. 10, s. 7. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-412-1047-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development)
— by Mrs. Glover (Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages) — Report of the National Film Board, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, pursuant to the National Film Act, R.S. 1985, c. N-8, sbs. 20(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-412-189-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage)
— by Mrs. Glover (Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages) — Report of the Public Service Labour Relations Board on the administration of Part I (Staff Relations) of the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, pursuant to the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act, R.S. 1985, c. 33 (2nd Supp.), s. 84. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-412-515-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates)
— by Mrs. Glover (Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages) — Report of the Public Service Labour Relations Board on the administration of the Public Service Labour Relations Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, pursuant to the Public Service Labour Relations Act, S.C. 2003, c. 22, s. 2 "251(2)". — Sessional Paper No. 8560-412-920-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates)
Petitions Filed with the Clerk of the House

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

— by Mr. Del Mastro (Peterborough), one concerning the electoral system (No. 412-2023).
Adjournment

At 2:15 p.m., the Acting Speaker adjourned the House until Monday, March 24, 2014, at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Orders 28(2) and 24(1).