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42nd PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION

Journals

No. 229

Friday, November 3, 2017

10:00 a.m.



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

Whereupon, Mr. Rota (Nipissing—Timiskaming), Assistant Deputy Speaker and Assistant Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole, took the Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 8.

Prayer
Government Orders

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Health of Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

Mr. Hussen (Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship) for Ms. Petitpas Taylor (Minister of Health), seconded by Ms. Duncan (Minister of Science), moved, — That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Health.

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.

Daily Routine Of Business

Tabling of Documents
Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Rioux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence) laid upon the Table, — Report of the National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-421-150-02.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) laid upon the Table, — Government responses, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), to the following petitions:

— No. 421-01643 concerning the manufacturing industry. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-421-38-03;
— Nos. 421-01647, 421-01648, 421-01673, 421-01674 and 421-01694 concerning health care services. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-421-31-25;
— No. 421-01649 concerning the Canadian Armed Forces. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-421-150-02;
— No. 421-01651 concerning the tax system. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-421-1-20;
— No. 421-01652 concerning nuclear and military exports. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-421-174-01;
— No. 421-01653 concerning the protection of the environment. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-421-3-28;
— Nos. 421-01662, 421-01695 and 421-01706 concerning navigable waters. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-421-101-09;
— No. 421-01693 concerning the fishing industry. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-421-24-11.

Presenting Petitions

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

— by Mr. Eglinski (Yellowhead), one concerning Christianity (No. 421-01786).

Questions on the Order Paper

Mr. Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the answers to questions Q-1125 to Q-1128, Q-1133, Q-1134, Q-1144 and Q-1148 on the Order Paper.


Pursuant to Standing Order 39(7), Mr. Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the revised return to the following question made into an Order for Return:

Q-1045 — Mr. Richards (Banff—Airdrie) — With regard to sponsored social media posts (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) by the government, including those put out by agencies, Crown Corporations, and other government entities, since November 4, 2015: (a) what amount has been spent on sponsored posts; (b) what is the description and purpose of each sponsored post; and (c) for each sponsored post, what are the details, including the (i) date, (ii) analytic data, views and reach, (iii) details of demographics targeted? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1045-01.

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

Q-1122 — Ms. Moore (Abitibi—Témiscamingue) — With regard to the Skills Link program and the calls for proposals during the summer of 2016: (a) what is the total number of projects in the two streams (the regular stream and the innovation stream) submitted as part of the call for proposals for the 2016 Skills Link program; (b) what is the total number of projects in the two streams submitted as part of the 2016 Skills Link program in Quebec; (c) what is the total number of projects in the two streams submitted as part of the 2016 Skills Link program in the constituency of Abitibi—Témiscamingue; (d) what was the total amount budgeted for the entire Skills Link program associated with the 2016 call for proposals; (e) what was the total budget amount granted to the 2016 call for proposals for Quebec; (f) what was the total budget amount granted to the 2016 call for proposals for Abitibi–Témiscamingue; (g) what is the residual budget amount (the funds that have still not been allocated) for the Skills Link program; (h) what is the nature (source, deadlines) of the budget envelope for the Skills Link program; (i) how many employees are assigned to analyze the innovation stream of the Skills Link program; (j) how many projects from the two streams associated with the 2016 call for proposals were approved in Canada, and what were the amounts granted to these projects; (k) how many projects from the two streams were rejected; (l) how many projects from the innovation stream are still waiting for approval; (m) how many projects from the two streams for the 2016 call for proposals were approved in Quebec, and what were the amounts granted to these projects; (n) how many projects from the two streams for the 2016 call for proposals were approved in Abitibi—Témiscamingue, and what were the amounts granted to these projects; (o) how many projects under the Skills Link program (by program stream) have been granted in the constituency of Abitibi—Témiscamingue since 2007; and (p) what were the amounts granted in the Abitibi—Témiscamingue riding as part of the Skills Link program (by year and program stream) since 2007? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1122.

Q-1123 — Mr. Albrecht (Kitchener—Conestoga) — With regard to directives provided to Canada Border Services Agency front line employees at land crossings, since November 4, 2015: what are the details of all directives provided to front line employees, including for each the (i) date, (ii) direction given to employees, (iii) title of the individual who issued the directive, (iv) file number, if applicable? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1123.

Q-1124 — Mr. Albrecht (Kitchener—Conestoga) — With regard to the selling of arms by Canadian based companies to Azerbaijan: (a) what are the details of all sales which the government has permitted since December 1, 2015, including for each the (i) date, (ii) types of weapons or equipment involved, (iii) value of sale, (iv) details of relevant briefing notes, including file numbers; (b) what is the government’s response to the concerns raised by the Armenian community, including the Canadian-Armenian Political Affairs Committee and the Armenian National Committee of Canada to the sales; and (c) does the government have any guarantee that Canadian arms sold to Azerbaijan won’t be used against Armenians and, if so, what are the specifics of any such guarantees? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1124.

Q-1129 — Mr. Nater (Perth—Wellington) — With regard to the deletion of social media posts on government websites, since January 1, 2016, and broken down by department, agency, crown corporation, or other government entity: (a) how many posts were deleted; and (b) what was the reason for each deletion in (a)? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1129.

Q-1130 — Mrs. Boucher (Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d'Orléans—Charlevoix) — With regard to documents concerning third party activities during elections, including documents concerning the influence of foreign organizations or other entities on third parties or their activities, held by either the Privy Council Office or Elections Canada since November 4, 2015: (a) what are the details of all memorandums on the subject, including for each (i) sender, (ii) recipient, (iii) date, (iv) title, (v) subject matter and summary, (vi) file number; and (b) what are the details of all studies received, reviewed, analyzed, or otherwise consulted regarding the subject, including for each the (i) date, (ii) author, (iii) title, (iv) findings, (v) file number, (vi) website location where findings are available online, if applicable? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1130.

Q-1131 — Mrs. Boucher (Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d'Orléans—Charlevoix) — With regard to individuals seeking asylum after crossing the border illegally or irregularly: how many such individuals have sought asylum since October 1, 2016, broken down by month and by province? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1131.

Q-1132 — Mr. Nater (Perth—Wellington) — With regard to official government roundtables held since October 1, 2016: what are the details, including for each the (i) date, (ii) location, (iii) number of attendees, (iv) list of government staff in attendance, including Ministers and their staff, (v) topic or purpose of roundtable, (vi) file numbers of relevant briefing materials, (vii) costs related to each roundtable, including an itemized breakdown of costs? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1132.

Q-1135 — Mr. Nater (Perth—Wellington) — With regard to expenditures on accommodation expenses incurred by the Prime Minister’s Protective Detail section of the RCMP outside of Canada during December 2016 and January 2017: what are the details of all such expenditures, including (i) name of hotel, resort, or other accommodation, (ii) vendor, if different from (i), (iii) dates of accommodation, (iv) amount, (v) daily room rate, (vi) contract file number, (vii) location? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1135.

Q-1136 — Mr. Van Kesteren (Chatham-Kent—Leamington) — With regard to the advertising or decorating on federal vehicles including customized paint jobs, decals, or wrapping, since January 1, 2016, what are the details of each such expenditure, broken down by department, agency, crown corporation, or other government entity, including for each the (i) total amount spent, (ii) vendor, (iii) amount of contract, (iv) date, (v) number of vehicles, (vi) description of work completed, (vii) description of campaign associated with expenditure, (viii) file number of contract? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1136.

Q-1137 — Mr. Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable) — With regard to the camp for asylum seekers or “irregular” border crossers set up by the government near Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle: (a) what is the occupancy of the camp, as of September 18, 2017; (b) what is the occupancy capacity of the camp; (c) what are the total costs associated with the setup of the camp; (d) what is the itemized breakdown of the costs referred to in (c); (e) what is the monthly operating cost for the camp; (f) what is the itemized breakdown of the monthly operating costs; (g) how many government employees work at the camp, broken down by department; (h) how long does the government plan on keeping the camp open; and (i) when is the anticipated closing date of the camp? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1137.

Q-1139 — Mr. Van Kesteren (Chatham-Kent—Leamington) — With regard to exposures or potential exposures to fentanyl by Correctional Service Canada guards, since December 1, 2015: (a) how many exposures have occurred; (b) what is the breakdown of reported exposures, broken down by (i) month, (ii) location or institution; and (c) how many of the exposures required medical treatment? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1139.

Q-1140 — Mr. Van Kesteren (Chatham-Kent—Leamington) — With regard to the storage of classified or protected documents since September 19, 2016, and broken down by department or agency: (a) how many instances have occurred where it was discovered that classified or protected documents were left out or stored in a manner which did not meet the requirements of the security level of the documents; (b) how many of these instances occurred in the offices of ministerial exempt staff, including staff of the Prime Minister, broken down by ministerial office; and (c) how many employees have lost their security clearance as a result of such infractions? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1140.

Q-1141 — Mr. Obhrai (Calgary Forest Lawn) — With regard to social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, and others, operated by departments, agencies, crown corporations, other government entities, including Ministerial accounts, since November 4, 2015, and broken down by account and by incident: (a) how many individuals were blocked; (b) what was the reason for each account being blocked; (c) what was the handle or name of each account which was blocked; and (d) what is the policy as it relates to blocking accounts? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1141.

Q-1142 — Mr. Obhrai (Calgary Forest Lawn) — With regard to sanctions against Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro, since November 4, 2015: (a) what is the complete list of current sanctions which Canada has in place against Venezuela; (b) when did each sanction referred to in (a) come in to effect; (c) what specific action has the government taken to ensure that fair elections are held in Venezuela; (d) what specific action has the government taken to ensure or encourage the safety and free movement of opposition leaders in Venezuela; and (e) what are the details of any gifts given by the Canadian government or anyone representing the Canadian government to the Venezuelan government or its diplomats, including for each the (i) date, (ii) description, (iii) recipient, (iv) value? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1142.

Q-1143 — Mr. Nuttall (Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte) — With regard to car and driver services provided to employees of departments, agencies, or crown corporations, as of September 18, 2017, and excluding Ministers and other elected officials: (a) how many employees are entitled to a car and driver; and (b) what are the titles of all employees who are entitled to a car and driver? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1143.

Q-1145 — Mr. Lauzon (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry) — With regard to the decision of Health Canada to issue a new decision on March 26, 2016, which imposed no terms and conditions on Apotex's Establishment Licenses for products fabricated at Apotex Pharmachem India Private Limited and Apotex Research Private Limited: (a) what new information did Health Canada receive that led to the new decision; (b) what is the title of the individual who made the new decision; (c) what are the details of any briefing documents or dockets prepared in relation to Apotex Inc. since November 4, 2015, including for each the (i) date, (ii) title or subject matter, (iii) the department’s internal tracking number; (d) was the Minister or any member of her exempt staff lobbied by Apotex and, if so, was this issue discussed; and (e) what are the details of any meetings Health Canada had with Apotex Inc. since November 4, 2015, including for each the (i) date, (ii) location, (iii) topics discussed, (iv) list of attendees? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1145.

Q-1146 — Mr. Lauzon (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry) — With regard social media expenditures since January 1, 2016, broken down by department, agency, crown corporation, or other government entity: what are the details of all expenditures for social media promotion, including the amount spent on likes and promoted tweets, promoted Facebook posts, or other promoted social media postings, including (i) amount, (ii) date of expenditure, (iii) topic of promoted material, (iv) names of social media platforms included, (v) file number of contract, (vi) vendor, (vii) advertising agency (or other type of agency) used, if different from vendor, (viii) start date of contract, (ix) end date of contract? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1146.

Q-1147 — Mr. Aubin (Trois-Rivières) — With regard to the replacement of VIA Rail’s aging fleet: (a) how many engines and cars will be retired in (i) 2017, (ii) 2018, (iii) 2019, (iv) 2020, (v) 2021, (vi) 2022, (vii) 2023, (viii) 2024; (b) which rail lines will be cut; (c) has the impact on service levels been evaluated; (d) what impact will these retirements have on VIA Rail’s service levels; (e) what plans have been put in place for replacing engines and cars; (f) have directives concerning fleet renewal been taken and, if so, what are they and what is the timeline; (g) is there any report about train incidents and stoppages due to age and, if so, when did VIA Rail finalize this report; (h) will the report in (g) be made public; (i) when will the report in (g) be made public; (j) is there an investment plan for the purchase of new cars and engines to replace aging equipment and, if so, what is the timeline; and (k) will the detailed plan be made public? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-421-1147.
Government Orders

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Petitpas Taylor (Minister of Health), seconded by Ms. Duncan (Minister of Science), — That Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Health.

The debate continued.

Private Members' Business

At 1:30 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(6), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Blaney (North Island—Powell River), seconded by Ms. Boutin-Sweet (Hochelaga), — That Bill C-325, An Act to amend the Canadian Bill of Rights (right to housing), be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

The debate continued.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Standing Order 93(1), the recorded division was deferred until Wednesday, November 8, 2017, immediately before the time provided for Private Members' Business.

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. Bennett (Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs) — Report of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board, together with the Auditors' Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, pursuant to section 41.2 of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management, as ratified by the First Nations Land Management Act, S.C. 1999, c. 24, sbs. 4(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-421-862-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development)
— by Mr. Brison (President of the Treasury Board) — Actuarial Report (including the certificate of assets) on the Pension Plan for the Members of Parliament for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, pursuant to the Public Pensions Reporting Act, R.S. 1985, c.13 (2nd Supp.), sbs. 9(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-421-519-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates)
— by Mr. Brison (President of the Treasury Board) — Actuarial Report (including cost certificate) on the Pension Plan for Federally Appointed Judges, and the certificate of assets of the Pension Plan for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, pursuant to the Public Pensions Reporting Act, R.S. 1985, c. 13 (2nd Supp.), sbs. 9(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-421-520-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates)
— by Ms. Duncan (Minister of Science) — Report of the Canada Foundation for Innovation, together with the Auditors' Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, pursuant to the Budget Implementation Act, 1997, S.C. 1997, c. 26, sbs. 29(3). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-421-116-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology)
Adjournment

At 2:18 p.m., the Assistant Deputy Speaker adjourned the House until Monday at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).