HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA
37th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION

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JOURNALS

No. 114

Monday, June 9, 2003

11:00 a.m.

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Prayers

Private Members' Business

At 11:00 a.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 Mr. Paquette (Joliette) , seconded by Mr. Bergeron (Verchères—Les-Patriotes) , — That, in the opinion of this House, any free trade agreement entered into by Canada, whether bilateral or multilateral, must include rules for the protection of foreign investments which do not violate the ability of parliamentary and government institutions to act, particularly on behalf of the common good, and must exclude any investor-state redress provisions and consequently, the Canadian government must enter into negotiations with its American and Mexican partners with a view to bringing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in line with the aforementioned principles. (Private Members' Business M-391)

The debate continued.

At 12:07 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 93(1), the Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Standing Order 93(1), the recorded division was deferred until Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at the beginning of the time provided for Private Members' Business.

Government Orders

The Order was read for the consideration at report stage of Bill C-24, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act (political financing), as reported by the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs with amendments.

Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(5), the Speaker selected and grouped for debate the following motions:

Group No. 1 — Motions Nos. 4, 8, 9, 13 and 14.

Group No. 2 — Motion No. 11.

Group No. 3 — Motion No. 12.

Group No. 1

Mr. Boudria (Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) , seconded by Ms. Robillard (President of the Treasury Board) , moved Motion No. 4, — That Bill C-24, in Clause 40, be amended by replacing lines 21 to 24 on page 41 with the following:

“ (2) An allowance fund for a quarter is the product of

(a) $0.4375 multiplied by the number of valid votes cast in the election referred to in subsection (1), and

(b) the inflation adjustment factor determined under subsection 405.1(1) that is in effect for that quarter.”

Recommendation
(Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(3))

Her Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in the following amendment to Bill C-24, “An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act (political financing)”: That Bill C-24, in Clause 40, be amended by replacing lines 21 to 24 on page 41 with the following:

“ (2) An allowance fund for a quarter is the product of

(a) $0.4375 multiplied by the number of valid votes cast in the election referred to in subsection (1), and

(b) the inflation adjustment factor determined under subsection 405.1(1) that is in effect for that quarter.”

Mr. Boudria (Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) , seconded by Ms. Robillard (President of the Treasury Board) , moved Motion No. 8, — That Bill C-24, in Clause 48, be amended by adding after line 22 on page 64 the following:

“ (3) The portion of subsection 464(3) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

(3) An official agent of a candidate shall without delay return to the Receiver General any amount received by him or her under subsection (2) that is more than 60% of the total of”

Recommendation
(Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(3))

Her Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in the following amendment to Bill C-24, “An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act (political financing)”: That Bill C-24, in Clause 48, be amended by adding after line 22 on page 64 the following:

“ (3) The portion of subsection 464(3) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

(3) An official agent of a candidate shall without delay return to the Receiver General any amount received by him or her under subsection (2) that is more than 60% of the total of”

Mr. Boudria (Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) , seconded by Ms. Robillard (President of the Treasury Board) , moved Motion No. 9, — That Bill C-24, in Clause 49, be amended by adding after line 34 on page 64 the following:

“(2.1) Paragraphs 465(2) (a) and (b) of the Act, as amended by subsections (1) and (2), are replaced by the following:

(a) 60% of the sum of the candidate's paid election expenses and paid personal expenses, less the partial reimbursement made under section 464, and

(b) 60% of the election expenses limit provided for in section 440, less the partial reimbursement made under section 464.”

Recommendation
(Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(3))

Her Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in the following amendment to Bill C-24, “An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act (political financing)”: That Bill C-24, in Clause 49, be amended by adding after line 34 on page 64 the following:

“(2.1) Paragraphs 465(2) (a) and (b) of the Act, as amended by subsections (1) and (2), are replaced by the following:

(a) 60% of the sum of the candidate's paid election expenses and paid personal expenses, less the partial reimbursement made under section 464, and

(b) 60% of the election expenses limit provided for in section 440, less the partial reimbursement made under section 464.”

Mr. Boudria (Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) , seconded by Ms. Robillard (President of the Treasury Board) , moved Motion No. 13, — That Bill C-24, in Clause 72, be amended

(a) by replacing line 43 on page 101 with the following:

“72. (1) For the quarter during which this”

(b) by adding after line 49 on page 101 the following:

“(2) The allowance payable to a registered party under section 435.02 of the Canada Elections Act, as enacted by section 40 of this Act, for the quarter during which this section comes into force and for any remaining quarters of the year during which it comes into force shall be estimated on the basis of the most recent general election preceding the coming into force of this section and paid within 30 days after its coming into force. Subsection 435.02(2) of the Canada Elections Act, as enacted by this Act, applies to that payment with any modifications that may be required.

(3) In the application of sections 435.01 and 435.02 of the Canada Elections Act, as enacted by this Act, any amount paid under subsection (2) in relation to a quarter shall be taken into account. A registered party that received an amount under subsection (2) for a quarter that is in excess of the amount to which it is entitled under those sections for that quarter shall without delay return to the Receiver General the amount of that excess. The Receiver General may reduce any other amount payable to the party by the amount of that excess.”

Recommendation
(Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(3))

Her Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in the following amendment to Bill C-24, “An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act (political financing)”: That Bill C-24, in Clause 72, be amended

(a) by replacing line 43 on page 101 with the following:

“72. (1) For the quarter during which this”

(b) by adding after line 49 on page 101 the following:

“(2) The allowance payable to a registered party under section 435.02 of the Canada Elections Act, as enacted by section 40 of this Act, for the quarter during which this section comes into force and for any remaining quarters of the year during which it comes into force shall be estimated on the basis of the most recent general election preceding the coming into force of this section and paid within 30 days after its coming into force. Subsection 435.02(2) of the Canada Elections Act, as enacted by this Act, applies to that payment with any modifications that may be required.

(3) In the application of sections 435.01 and 435.02 of the Canada Elections Act, as enacted by this Act, any amount paid under subsection (2) in relation to a quarter shall be taken into account. A registered party that received an amount under subsection (2) for a quarter that is in excess of the amount to which it is entitled under those sections for that quarter shall without delay return to the Receiver General the amount of that excess. The Receiver General may reduce any other amount payable to the party by the amount of that excess.”

Mr. Boudria (Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) , seconded by Ms. Robillard (President of the Treasury Board) , moved Motion No. 14, — That Bill C-24 be amended by adding after line 49 on page 101 the following new clause:

“72.1 For the first general election after the coming into force of this section, the reference to “50%” in subsection 435(1) of the Canada Elections Act, as enacted by this Act, shall be read as a reference to “60%”.”

Recommendation
(Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(3))

Her Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in the following amendment to Bill C-24, “An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act (political financing)”: That Bill C-24 be amended by adding after line 49 on page 101 the following new clause:

“72.1 For the first general election after the coming into force of this section, the reference to “50%” in subsection 435(1) of the Canada Elections Act, as enacted by this Act, shall be read as a reference to “60%”.”

Debate arose on the motions in Group No. 1.

Mr. White (North Vancouver), seconded by Mr. Epp (Elk Island), moved the following amendment, — That Motion No. 4 be amended by replacing the word “$0.4375” with the following:

“$0.01”.

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

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.

Ways and Means

Mr. Manley (Minister of Finance) laid upon the Table, — Notice of a Ways and Means motion to introduce an Act to amend the Income Tax Act (natural resources). (Ways and Means Proceedings No. 7) — Sessional Paper No. 8570-372-11.

Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), at the request of Mr. Manley (Minister of Finance) , an Order of the Day was designated for the consideration of this Ways and Means motion.

Daily Routine Of Business

Presenting Petitions

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

— by Mr. Adams (Peterborough) , two concerning children's rights (Nos. 372-1713 and 372-1714), one concerning health care services (No. 372-1715) and one concerning stem cell research (No. 372-1716);

— by Mr. Reynolds (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast) , one concerning the Canada Post Corporation (No. 372-1717);

— by Mr. Brison (Kings—Hants) , one concerning marriage (No. 372-1718) and one concerning war on Iraq (No. 372-1719);

— by Mrs. Yelich (Blackstrap) , two concerning the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Nos. 372-1720 and 372-1721) and one concerning marriage (No. 372-1722);

— by Mr. Maloney (Erie—Lincoln) , one concerning stem cell research (No. 372-1723);

— by Mr. Lunney (Nanaimo—Alberni) , one concerning marriage (No. 372-1724) and twelve concerning cruelty to animals (Nos. 372-1725 to 372-1736);

— by Mr. MacKay (Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough) , one concerning the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (No. 372-1737), two concerning the Canada Post Corporation (Nos. 372-1738 and 372-1739), one concerning stem cell research (No. 372-1740) and one concerning pornography (No. 372-1741);

— by Ms. Davies (Vancouver East) , one concerning war on Iraq (No. 372-1742), one concerning China (No. 372-1743), one concerning the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (No. 372-1744) and one concerning poverty (No. 372-1745).

Government Orders

The House resumed consideration at report stage of Bill C-24, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act (political financing), as reported by the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs with amendments;

And of the motions in Group No. 1 (amendment to Motion No. 4 and Motions Nos. 4, 8, 9, 13 and 14).

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

The question was put on the amendment to Motion No. 4 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 8 and it was agreed to.

The question was put on Motion Nos. 9, 13 and 14 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(8), the recorded divisions were deferred

Group No. 2

Ms. Caplan (Minister of National Revenue) for Mr. Boudria (Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) , seconded by Mr. DeVillers (Secretary of State (Amateur Sport)) , moved Motion No. 11, — That Bill C-24 be amended by adding after line 31 on page 99 the following new clause:

“63.1 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 536:

536.1 After the submission to the House of Commons of a report under section 535 in relation to the first general election following the coming into force of this section, any committee of that House to which the report is referred shall, in addition to considering the report, consider the effects of the provisions of this Act concerning political financing that came into force on the same day as this section.”

Debate arose on the motion in Group No. 2.

Notice of Motion

Mr. Boudria (Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) gave notice of the intention to move a motion at the next sitting of the House, pursuant to Standing Order 78(3), for the purpose of allotting a specified number of days or hours for the consideration and disposal of the report stage and third reading stage of Bill C-24, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act (political financing).

Government Orders

The House resumed consideration at report stage of Bill C-24, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act (political financing), as reported by the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs with amendments;

And of the motion in Group No. 2 (Motion No. 11).

The debate continued on the motion in Group No. 2.

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. Goodale (Minister of Public Works and Government Services) — Reports of Defence Construction (1951) Limited for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8561-372-662-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

— by Mr. Goodale (Minister of Public Works and Government Services) — Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2003-2004 to 2007-2008 and of the Capital and Operating Budgets for 2003-2004 of Defence Construction (1951) Limited, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). — Sessional Paper No. 8562-372-835-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates)

— by Ms. McLellan (Minister of Health) — Report of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, together with the Auditors' Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, pursuant to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse Act, S.C. 1988, c. 58, sbs. 31(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-372-591-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

— by Mr. Nault (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development) — Reports of the Sahtu Land and Water Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8561-372-731-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

— by Mr. Nault (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development) — Reports of the British Columbia Treaty Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8561-372-858-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

— by Mr. Nault (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development) — Reports of the Sahtu Land Use Planning Baord for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8561-372-872-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

— by Mr. Thibault (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans) — Report on the administration of the Atlantic Fisheries Restructuring Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, pursuant to the Atlantic Fisheries Restructuring Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-14, sbs. 8(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-372-457-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans)

Adjournment Proceedings

At 6:30 p.m., 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 6:51 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).